BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCamphor overdoseVicks VapoRub overdoseCamphor is a white substance with a strong odor that is commonly used in topical ointments and gels used for cough suppression and muscle aches. Camphor overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient These ingredients can be harmful:Camphor Menthol Where Found Camphor is found in:Nasal decongestants Camphorated oil Some moth repellents Topical pain relievers Vicks VapoRubNote: This list may not be all inclusive. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Abdominal pain Anxiety, agitation, excitation, hallucinations Burning of the mouth or the throat Tremors, twitching facial muscles, seizures Excessive thirst Muscle spasms, rigid muscles Nausea and vomiting Nausea and vomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid pulse Skin irritation Slow breathing Slow breathingMost people take breathing for granted. People with certain illnesses may have breathing problems that they deal with on a regular basis. This arti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sleepiness UnconsciousnessUnconsciousnessUnconsciousness is when a person is unable to respond to people and activities. Doctors often call this a coma or being in a comatose state. Other c...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.Any camphor-containing medicine that is on the skin should be removed using soap and lukewarm water. Before Calling Emergency The following information is helpful for emergency assistance:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known) When it was swallowed The amount swallowed However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States 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 The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms (such as seizures) will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:Activated charcoal (used if other substances were taken along with the camphor, since activated charcoal does not adsorb camphor very well) Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth (intubation),and ventilator (breathing machine) Blood and urine tests Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) Fluids through the vein (intravenous or IV) Laxative Medicines to treat symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) How well a person does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Camphor. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:44.Aronson JK. Lauraceae. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:484-486.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 1/2/2023 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. 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Camphor overdoseVicks VapoRub overdoseCamphor is a white substance with a strong odor that is commonly used in topical ointments and gels used for cough suppression and muscle aches. Camphor overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient These ingredients can be harmful:Camphor Menthol Where Found Camphor is found in:Nasal decongestants Camphorated oil Some moth repellents Topical pain relievers Vicks VapoRubNote: This list may not be all inclusive. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Abdominal pain Anxiety, agitation, excitation, hallucinations Burning of the mouth or the throat Tremors, twitching facial muscles, seizures Excessive thirst Muscle spasms, rigid muscles Nausea and vomiting Nausea and vomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid pulse Skin irritation Slow breathing Slow breathingMost people take breathing for granted. People with certain illnesses may have breathing problems that they deal with on a regular basis. This arti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sleepiness UnconsciousnessUnconsciousnessUnconsciousness is when a person is unable to respond to people and activities. Doctors often call this a coma or being in a comatose state. Other c...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.Any camphor-containing medicine that is on the skin should be removed using soap and lukewarm water. Before Calling Emergency The following information is helpful for emergency assistance:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known) When it was swallowed The amount swallowed However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States 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 The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms (such as seizures) will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:Activated charcoal (used if other substances were taken along with the camphor, since activated charcoal does not adsorb camphor very well) Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth (intubation),and ventilator (breathing machine) Blood and urine tests Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) Fluids through the vein (intravenous or IV) Laxative Medicines to treat symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) How well a person does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Camphor. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:44.Aronson JK. Lauraceae. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:484-486.