Bacitracin overdose Health Article

Definition

Bacitracin is a germ-killing medicine called an antibiotic, which is used to treat infections. Small amounts of Bacitracin are dissolved in petroleum jelly to create antibiotic ointments.

Bacitracin overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows products containing this ingredient or uses more than the normal or recommended amount of the product.

See also:

• Bacitracin zinc overdose
• Petroleum jelly overdose

Alternative Names

Polysporin ointment overdose; Baciquent ointment overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

• Bacitracin

Where Found

Bacitracin may be found in certain over-the-counter antibiotic ointments such as Bactine Triple Antibiotic and Neosporin. It may also be found in some prescription eye ointments such as AK-Tracin.

The medicine also comes in form that can be given as a shot into a muscle or through a vein. (A real overdose usually only occurs this way.)

Symptoms

Bacitracin is very safe. However getting bacitracin in your eyes may cause redness and some pain and itching.

Intentionally eating bacitracin in large amounts may cause you to have some pain in your stomach and possibly throw up.

Rarely Bacitracin may cause cause an allergic reaction. You are most likely to have some redness and itching of your skins. However, like any substance a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can occur.

Home Treatment

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water. DO NOT give milk if the patient is vomiting or has a decreased level of alertness.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Call poison control or a doctor for assistance.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medicine was prescribed for the patient