Health Encyclopedia
Roundup grass and weed killer poisoning
Definition
This is poisoning caused by swallowing Roundup, a type of week killer.
Alternative Names
Weedoff poisoningPoisonous Ingredient
- Glyphosate
Where Found
- Roundup
- Bronco
- Glifonox
- Kleen-up
- Rodeo
- Weedoff
Symptoms
- Lungs
- Breathing difficulty
- Heart and blood
- Low blood pressure
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Irritation of mouth and throat
- Tearing, increased
- Skin
- Irritation
- Cyanosis (blue lips or fingernails - rare)
- Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
- Vomiting (may vomit blood)
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nervous system
Home Care
If the product is on the skin, wash the area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes.
DO NOT make the person throw up. Call Poison Control Center for appropriate treatment instructions.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
Poison Control
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.
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
See National Poison Control center.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:
- Medicines to treat symptoms
- A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage)
- Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
- Water or milk
Outlook (Prognosis)
Patients that continue to improve over the first 4 to 6 hours (after medical treatment) usually recover.
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.
