Methyl salicylate is a wintergreen-scented chemical found in many over-the-counter products, including muscle ache creams. Methyl salicylate overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of a product containing this substance.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

See also: Sports cream overdose

Deep heating rubs overdose; Oil of wintergreen overdose

• Methyl salicylate, a compound similar to aspirin

• Deep-heating creams (Ben Gay, Icy Hot) used to relieve sore muscles and joints
• Oil of wintergreen
• Solutions for vaporizers

Note: This list may not include all products that contain methyl salicylate.

Next Section

Methyl salicylate overdose Symptoms

Review Date: 01/26/2010
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)