Document Detail


Medicated oils and severe salicylate poisoning: quantifying the risk based on methyl salicylate content and bottle size.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  8693687     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
In Hong Kong, medicated oils containing methyl salicylate account for 48% of acute salicylate poisoning cases treated in the general medical ward of the Prince of Wales Hospital. To quantify better the risk to average persons who have intentionally ingested these medicated oils, the methyl salicylate content and bottle size of 7 commonly available formulations were examined. Koong Yick Hung Far Oil had the highest methyl salicylate content (67%) and was available only in 60-ml bottles. If the entire bottle of this product were ingested, the equivalent of 184 adult 300-mg aspirin tablets would have been swallowed. Accidental ingestions of as little as 6 ml of Koong Yick Hung Far Oil by a child can be fatal. Six other products contained 15-40% methyl salicylate and their biggest bottle sizes range from 28-57 ml. Among medicated oils commonly found in Hong Kong, Koong Yick Hung Far Oil poses the greatest threat for severe salicylate poisoning if swallowed because of its high salicylate content and its availability in 60-ml bottles. The threat from medicated oils can probably be reduced by restricting their bottle size and methyl salicylate concentration. Physicians and clinical toxicologists should appreciate the toxic potential of these products.
Authors:
T Y Chan
Related Documents :
1122767 - A prospective study of complications after tracheostomy for assisted ventilation.
11554677 - Seeing mountains in mole hills: geographical-slant perception.
10484347 - Osteocyte hypoxia: a novel mechanotransduction pathway.
6447197 - Incidence of low back pain and pre-placement x-ray screening.
1357167 - A screening system for tardive dyskinesia: development and implementation.
15507007 - Are differences between graduates and undergraduates in a medical course due to age or ...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Veterinary and human toxicology     Volume:  38     ISSN:  0145-6296     ISO Abbreviation:  Vet Hum Toxicol     Publication Date:  1996 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1996-08-27     Completed Date:  1996-08-27     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7704194     Medline TA:  Vet Hum Toxicol     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  133-4     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Child
Hong Kong
Humans
Molecular Weight
Oils / chemistry,  poisoning*
Product Surveillance, Postmarketing
Salicylates / analysis,  poisoning*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Oils; 0/Salicylates; 119-36-8/methyl salicylate

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Cisapride toxicosis in dogs.
Next Document:  The effect of feeding dried tomato vines to beef cattle.