What happens if you swallow ethylene glycol

Treatment can prevent kidney failure, brain damage, and other permanent damage to your lungs or heart. If left untreated, severe antifreeze poisoning can be fatal within 24 to 36 hours.

Find information on isopropyl alcohol poisoning symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. Learn what to do if you suspect you have isopropyl alcohol poisoning. The chemicals used to cool appliances like air conditioners are known as refrigerant. Most incidents of chlorine poisoning result from ingesting household cleaners. Learn about symptoms and treatments. Discover why gasoline exposure can be dangerous for your health.

Learn about gasoline poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning, when to seek help, and…. The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to purchase or use nitrite poppers because they can cause serious health problems, including…. New research from the University of Notre Dame found that nearly half of cosmetic products tested in a study contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl….

Mad hatter disease is a form of chronic mercury poisoning. It got its name because it commonly affected hat makers in the 18th to 20th centuries. Pesticides are used in farming to kill weeds and insects. This article explores whether the pesticide residues in foods are harmful to human health. Learn how you can successfully control your asthma, with tips for short-term relief, management techniques, medical treatments, and more.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Antifreeze Poisoning. New treatment for ethylene glycolpoisoning. N Engl J Med. Osmolal andanion gaps in patients admitted to an emergencymedical department. Hum Ex Toxicol. Ethylene glycol intoxication: evaluation of kinetics and crystalluria. AmJ Med. Treatment of ethylene glycolpoisoning with intravenous 4-methylpyrazole. Antizol fomepizole.

Package insert. Minnetoka, Minn. Winchester JF. Clinical management of poisoning and drug overdose. Philadelphia, Pa. Toxicokinetics of ethylene glycol during fomepizoletherapy: implications for management.

Ann Emerg Med. Glycolatekinetics and hemodialysis clearance in ethylene glycol poisoning. J Toxicol ClinToxicol. This content is owned by the AAFP.

A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Contact afpserv aafp. Want to use this article elsewhere?

Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Previous: Tension-Type Headache. Sep 1, Issue. Treatment of Ethylene Glycol Poisoning. Read the full article. Get immediate access, anytime, anywhere. Choose a single article, issue, or full-access subscription.

Earn up to 6 CME credits per issue. Purchase Access: See My Options close. Best Value! To see the full article, log in or purchase access. More in Pubmed Citation Related Articles. Email Alerts Don't miss a single issue. Sign up for the free AFP email table of contents. Navigate this Article. Immediately wash eyes with large amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes.

Seek medical attention immediately. Do not induce vomiting emesis. Monitor heart function. Evaluate for low blood pressure hypotension , abnormal heart rhythms dysrhythmias , and reduced respiratory function respiratory depression.

Evaluate for low blood sugar hypoglycemia , electrolyte disturbances, and low oxygen levels hypoxia. Evaluate respiratory function and pulse. If shortness of breath occurs or breathing is difficult dyspnea , administer oxygen. Assist ventilation as required.

Always use a barrier or bag-valve-mask device. If breathing has ceased apnea , provide artificial respiration. Long-Term Implications. Repeat these tests as necessary to closely monitor the progression of toxic effects. Contact a medical toxicologist or a regional poison control center for assistance in evaluating the anion and osmolar gaps and to decide whether antidotal therapy, intravenous sodium bicarbonate, or hemodialysis is needed.

Administer antidotes fomepizole or ethanol intravenously as soon as possible to block the conversion of ethylene glycol to formic acid and prevent acidosis. Fomepizole is preferred as its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated, and its therapeutic dose is more easily maintained. Administer folinic acid leucovorin intravenously to increase the rate at which formate is metabolized into less toxic chemicals.

Caution: Ethanol and fomepizole dosing must be adjusted during hemodialysis. Thiamine and pyridoxine facilitate a more rapid metabolism of ethylene glycol to non-toxic metabolites and should be given as a single dose IV mg daily. Some loss of kidney function may be permanent. Injury to the nerves of the head and neck cranial nerve palsies may be of short-term or long-term duration. This may affect the nerves that control facial movement, eye movement and vision, hearing, and swallowing.

Brain swelling cerebral edema causes an impaired level of consciousness. This may cause generalized seizures, brain death, or permanent brain damage. Accumulation of fluid in the lungs pulmonary edema , due to heart or lung damage, may occur. Muscle inflammation myositis may occur. Limited studies have not found ethylene glycol to be a carcinogen. It is not known whether chronic or repeated exposure to ethylene glycol increases the risk of reproductive toxicity or developmental toxicity.

Chronic or repeated exposure to ethylene glycol may lead to: irritation of the throat, mild headache, low backache, loss of consciousness, and nystagmus. These will resolve if the source of exposure is removed.

On-Site Fatalities. Coordinate responsibilities and prepare to enter the scene as part of the evaluation team along with the FBI HazMat Technician, local law enforcement evidence technician, and other relevant personnel. Begin tracking remains using waterproof tags. Establish a preliminary holding morgue. Gather evidence and place it in a clearly labeled waterproof container.

Hand any evidence over to the FBI. Remove and tag personal effects. Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting chemical. It is poisonous if swallowed. Poisonous Ingredient. Ethylene glycol is found in many household products, including: Antifreeze Car wash fluids De-icing products Detergents Vehicle brake fluids Industrial solvents Paints Cosmetics Note: This list may not be all-inclusive. Before Calling Emergency. Determine the following information: The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product ingredients and strengths, if known The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. What to Expect at the Emergency Room. Tests you may receive at the hospital include: Arterial blood gas analysis Chemistry panel and liver function studies Chest x-ray shows fluids in the lungs Complete blood count CBC CT scan shows brain swelling ECG electrocardiogram, or heart tracing Ethylene glycol blood test Ketones blood test Osmolality blood test Toxicology screen Urinalysis Tests will show increased levels of ethylene glycol, blood chemical disturbances, and possible signs of kidney failure and muscle or liver damage.

Other treatments may include: Activated charcoal Sodium bicarbonate solution given through a vein IV to reverse severe acidosis An antidote fomepizole that slows the formation of the poisonous by-products in the body If fomepizole is unavailable, ethanol may be given.

This is uncommon. Outlook Prognosis. Complications may include: Brain and nerve damage, including seizures and changes in vision Kidney failure Shock low blood pressure and depressed heart function Coma. Alternative Names. Poisoning Read more.