Bacitracin zinc overdose Health Article

Definition

Bacitracin zinc is a medicine applied to cuts and other skin wounds to help prevent infection. Bacitracin is a germ-killing medicine called an antibiotic. Small amounts of bacitracin zinc are dissolved in petroleum jelly to create antibiotic ointments.

Bacitracin zinc 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 overdose
• Petroleum jelly overdose
• Zinc oxide overdose

Alternative Names

Cortisporin ointment overdose; Baciferm overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

• Bacitracin
• Zinc

Where Found

These ingredients are found in many different products, including certain:

• Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments and sprays such as Polysporin Spray and Neosporin
• Prescription antibiotic eye drops and ointments such as Neosporin Ophthalmic

Bacitracin zinc may also be added to animal food.

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Bacitracin zinc is very safe. However getting bacitracin zinc 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 zinc 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

Stop using the product. Seek immediate emergency medical care.

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

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

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