Acetone poisoning

Definition

This is poisoning from swallowing acetone.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

Acetone; Dimethyl formaldehyde; Dimethyl ketone

Where Found

• Some cleaning agents
• Some lacquers
• Fingernail polish remover
• Rubber cement
• Some glues

Symptoms

• Body as a whole
  • Acting as if drunk
  • Increased need to urinate
  • Low blood pressure
• Respiratory
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Slowed breathing rate
  • Shortness of breath
  • Bronchial irritation
• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • May have fruity odor, or complain of sweet taste in mouth
  • Abdominal pain
• Nervous system
  • Stupor
  • Drowsiness
  • Coma

Home Treatment

DO NOT induce vomiting. Contact your poison control center for specific instructions.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

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 U.S. 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.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Use activated charcoal if the patient arrives immediately after ingesting the poison.
• Administer oxygen if needed.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)

If the person survives past 48 hours, recovery is good.