Laxative overdose

• bisacodyl
• bisacodyl and docusate
• carboxymethylcellulose and docusate
• carboxymethylcellulose, casanthranol and docusate
• cascara sagrada
• cascara sagrada and aloe
• cascara sagrada and phenolphthalein
• casanthranol
• castor oil
• dehydrocholic acid
• dehydrocholic acid and docusate
• dehydrocholic acid, docusate, and phenolphthalein
• docusate
• docusate and phenolphthalein
• glycerin
• lactulose
• magnesium citrate
• magnesium hydroxide
• magnesium oxide
• magnesium sulfate
• malt soup extract
• malt soup extract and psyllium
• methylcellulose
• milk of magnesia and mineral oil
• milk of magnesia, mineral oil, and glycerin
• mineral oil
• mineral oil and cascara sagrada
• mineral oil and phenolphthalein
• mineral oil, glycerin and phenolphthalein
• phenolphthalein
• poloxamer 188
• polycarbophil
• potassium bitartrate and sodium bicarbonate
• psyllium
• psyllium and senna
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and carboxymethylcellulose
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and senna
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and sennosides
• senna
• senna and docusate
• sennosides
• sodium phosphate

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found:

• bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
• bisacodyl and docusate
• carboxymethylcellulose and docusate
• carboxymethylcellulose, casanthranol and docusate
• cascara sagrada
• cascara sagrada and aloe
• cascara sagrada and phenolphthalein
• casanthranol
• castor oil
• dehydrocholic acid
• dehydrocholic acid and docusate
• dehydrocholic acid, docusate, and phenolphthalein
• docusate (Colace)
• docusate and phenolphthalein (Correctol)
• glycerin suppositories
• lactulose (Duphalac)
• magnesium citrate
• magnesium hydroxide
• magnesium oxide
• magnesium sulfate
• malt soup extract (Maltsupex)
• malt soup extract and psyllium
• methylcellulose
• milk of magnesia and mineral oil
• milk of magnesia, mineral oil, and glycerin
• mineral oil
• mineral oil and cascara sagrada
• mineral oil and phenolphthalein
• mineral oil, glycerin and phenolphthalein
• phenolphthalein (Ex Lax)
• poloxamer 188
• polycarbophil
• potassium bitartrate and sodium bicarbonate
• psyllium
• psyllium and senna
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and carboxymethylcellulose
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and senna
• psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and sennosides
• senna
• senna and docusate
• sennosides
• sodium phosphate

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:
bisacodyl

• skin
  • rash

• gastrointestinal
  • cramps
  • diarrhea

senna , cascara sagrada

• body as a whole
  • collapse

• gastrointestinal
  • diarrhea
  • bloody stool

castor oil

• gastrointestinal
  • GI irritation

phenolphthalein

• body as a whole
  • collapse
  • low blood sugar
  • dizziness

• skin
  • rash

• gastrointestinal
  • diarrhea

• heart and blood vessels
  • drop in blood pressure

sodium phosphate

• body as a whole
  • pain
  • collapse
  • muscle weakness

• gastrointestinal
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

magnesium containing products

• body as a whole
  • collapse
  • painful urination
  • flushing
  • thirst
  • coma
  • death
  • muscle weakness

• respiratory
  • slow respirations

• gastrointestinal
  • GI irritation
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • painful bowel movements
  • diarrhea (watery or diarrhea)

• heart and blood vessels
  • drop in blood pressure

mineral oil

• respiratory
  • if vomited it may get into the lungs and cause pneumonia

methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polycarbophil, psyllium

• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • choking (if taken with insufficient fluids)

• gastrointestinal
  • intestinal obstruction (if taken with insufficient fluids)

Home Treatment:
Do not induce emesis ( vomiting ) unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by a physician.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before Calling Poison Control:
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

Call Poison Control:
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to Expect:
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• induce emesis (where appropriate)
• administer activated charcoal (where appropriate)
• monitor vital signs ( blood pressure , pulse , and so forth)
• monitor EKG (monitors heart function)
• blood samples drawn to determine serum electrolyte levels if necessary
• administer fluids and electrolytes through an IV

Prognosis:
The prognosis (probable outcome):
The ultimate outcome of the individual will depend on such factors as the laxative swallowed, how much was swallowed, and how long before appropriate treatment was rendered.

Serious symptoms are most likely in patients who repeatedly use large amounts of laxatives for weight loss purposes. One-time exposures are rarely serious.