Rat killer poisoning; Rodenticide poisoning

DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• How much was swallowed

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Blood and urine tests will be done. The patient may receive:

• Blood transfusion if too much blood has been lost
• Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see the esophagus and the stomach
• Fluids through a vein (IV)
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Medicine to absorb any remaining poison
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison

Death may occur as late as 2 weeks after the poisoning as a result of bleeding. However, adequate treatment usually prevents any serious complications.

Review Date: 07/20/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)