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Health Information Encyclopedia - Poison


Jimsonweed

Definition:

This is poisoning from sucking the juice or eating the seeds from a jimsonweed plant. You can also be poisoned by drinking tea made from the leaves.

Jimsonweed�is known as Jamestown weed, thorn apple, stinkweed, Datura, and moonflower.



Alternative Names: Angel's trumpet; Devil's weed; Thorn apple; Tolguacha

Poisonous Ingredient:
  • Hyoscyamine
  • Atropine
  • Hyoscine (scopolamine)
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found:

The poison is found in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves and seeds.



Symptoms:

Bladder and kidneys

  • Little to no urine production (Urine retention)

Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth

Skin

  • Red skin

Gastrointestinal

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Heart and blood

Nervous system

Whole Body

  • Fever
  • Thirst


Home Treatment:

Do not make the person throw up unless told to do so by a doctor or Poison Control.



Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the plant
  • Time it was swallowed
  • 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.

Bring the plant with you to the emergency room, 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
  • Medicines to make the person throw up
  • Medicines to reverse the effects of the poison
  • Activated charcoal
  • Laxative
  • A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)���


Expectations (prognosis):

Symptoms last for 1-3 days and usually require hospitalization. Death is unlikely.

How well a patient does depends on how much of the poison was swallowed, their age, and how quickly treatment was received.




Review Date: 3/21/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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