MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ethylene glycol

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Ethylene glycol

Contents of this page:
Definition Where Found Symptoms Before Calling Emergency	Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis) References

Definition

Ethylene glycol is a poisonous alcohol. Drinking even small amounts can cause significant damage to the body. This article discusses poisoning from ethylene glycol.

Where Found

Antifreeze
Certain inks
Fire extinguishers

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Blue lips and fingernails
Blood in urine
Blood pressure changes
Convulsions
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea
No urine output
Rapid breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Slurred speech
Stupor
Unconsciousness
Unsteady walk
Vomiting
Weakness

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

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:

Dialysis
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison (ethanol or fomepizole)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Death may occur within the first 24 hours. If patient survives, there may be little or no urine output for several weeks until the kidneys recover. Any brain damage may be permanent.

References

Ford MD, Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2001.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006.

Update Date: 1/17/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.