| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Poisoning from an ingestion or inhalation of drain cleaner. |
| Alternative Names | |
| Poisonous Ingredient | Sodium hydroxide |
| Where Found | some drain cleaners some aquarium products Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | body as a whole severe pain in the mouth collapserespiratory inability to breathe due to the throat swelling shut eyes, ears, nose, and throat severe pain in the throat gastrointestinal severe abdominal paindiarrheavomiting heart and blood vessels rapid drop in blood pressure |
| Home Treatment | DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS ( VOMITING ). If the cleaner was swallowed, give water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the patient is vomiting, keep giving water or milk. DO NOT TRY TO NEUTRALIZE by giving vinegar or lemon juice; this may cause more severe burning. |
| 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 | 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 at the emergency room | Some or all of the following procedures may be performed: for swallowed poison Give fluids. Treat the symptoms. for inhalation Treat the symptoms. |
| Expectations (prognosis) | The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on how much alkali was consumed. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the alkali was swallowed. Death may occur as long as a month after the alkali was swallowed. |
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