Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCan You Take Too Many Cough Drops?Side Effects of Taking Too Many Cough DropsWhen to Seek Medical HelpHow Is Menthol Poisoning Treated?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Can You Take Too Many Cough Drops?
Side Effects of Taking Too Many Cough Drops
When to Seek Medical Help
How Is Menthol Poisoning Treated?
Over-the-counter (OTC) cough drops are used to relieve coughs.They usually come in small candies or lozenges and have medicinal properties that help soothe asore throatand reduce coughing.
Getty Images | Liudmila Chernetska
Cough drops vary in the amount of menthol they contain, with some common doses including
Taking cough drops as recommended is safe, but large exposure to pure menthol can be risky. Even though it’s rare, excessive consumption of cough drops can also lead to serious health issues.
In 2016, a tragic case was reported in which a worker passed away from inhaling too much menthol while working in a peppermint factory.
Another case of menthol poisoning was also discovered from an individual who had taken two bags of menthol cough drops every day for 20 years, leading to several skin, stomach, and nerve problems.If you believe you have consumed too much menthol, it’s important to get medical help or call a Poison Control Center immediately.
Menthol Poisoning
Menthol poisoningcan occur when someone consumes, inhales, or absorbs too much menthol, either from using products containing menthol or from accidental exposure to concentrated forms of menthol.
Some examples of menthol products include:
A potentially lethal amount of menthol can vary widely, ranging from 50 to 500 mg per kilogram (kg) of a person’s body weight.For instance, a 154-pound (or 70-kg) person would need to ingest between 3,500 and 10,500 mg of menthol for it to be potentially fatal.
According to The Natural Standards, an international integrative medical organization, a dose of up to 1 gram (g) per kg of body weight is considered deadly.In the case of the same individual, this equates to consuming 70,000 mg of menthol, which is seven to 20 times higher than the threshold of other cited sources.
Excessive intake of menthol can lead to symptomssuch as dizziness, nervousness, and nystagmus, which involves rapid and uncontrollable eye movements.
Menthol may cause side effects if taken in high doses. Side effects to look out for include:
Without proper and prompt treatment, an individual may risk experiencing a coma, seizures, or even death.
Here is a list of common symptoms associated with menthol toxicity:
Here are some severe symptoms:
Allergic Reactions
Although uncommon, menthol can cause some allergic reactions.
Typical symptoms include rash (urticaria), swelling, and skin irritations (dermatitis).Some people might be allergic to products like menthol cough drops without being aware of their allergy.
A person with pre-existing skin disorders, eye problems, or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to an allergy.Reports of such allergies have been documented with the use of cigarettes, toothpaste, ointments, and cough drops.Symptoms usually will go away once the use is stopped.
Not everyone will have an allergy to menthol, but it’s good to be cautious and check for allergies before using menthol products.In the event of a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, immediately call 911 or your local medical emergency number.
If there is known or suspected over-ingestion of menthol, immediate medical attention is necessary. Signs of menthol toxicity to watch for include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, nervousness, nystagmus, coma, and, in severe cases, death.
In cases of high menthol exposure, it is critical to call 911 immediately. There is no antidote for menthol intoxication, so early recognition and supportive care are vital for recovery.
Treatment primarily involves supportive measures, such as nasogastric lavage (stomach pumping) and intravenous fluids. The outcomes depend on many factors, such as how much menthol was ingested, how long the person was exposed, and how quickly the medical treatment is provided to the patient.
Summary
If menthol poisoning is suspected from excessive use of cough drops or other products containing menthol, it is crucial to seek immediate medical help to avoid long-term health complications. If you have any questions about poison prevention, call the Poison Help Line.
The author would like to recognize and thank Norma Ponce, PharmD, MHA, for contributing to this article.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Degeorge K, Ring D, Dalrymple S.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289DailyMed.Menthol cough drops- menthol lozenge.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 16666, l-menthol.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 1254, menthol.Kumar A, Baitha U, Aggarwal P, et al.A fatal case of menthol poisoning.Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2016;6(2):137-139. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.179015Baibars M, Eng S, Shaheen K, et al.Menthol toxicity: an unusual cause of coma.Case Rep Med. 2012;2012:187039. doi:10.1155/2012/187039Johnson D, Mead R, Kennelty K, et al.Menthol cough drops: cause for concern?.J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31(2):183-191. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170363
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Degeorge K, Ring D, Dalrymple S.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289DailyMed.Menthol cough drops- menthol lozenge.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 16666, l-menthol.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 1254, menthol.Kumar A, Baitha U, Aggarwal P, et al.A fatal case of menthol poisoning.Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2016;6(2):137-139. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.179015Baibars M, Eng S, Shaheen K, et al.Menthol toxicity: an unusual cause of coma.Case Rep Med. 2012;2012:187039. doi:10.1155/2012/187039Johnson D, Mead R, Kennelty K, et al.Menthol cough drops: cause for concern?.J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31(2):183-191. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170363
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Degeorge K, Ring D, Dalrymple S.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289DailyMed.Menthol cough drops- menthol lozenge.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 16666, l-menthol.National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 1254, menthol.Kumar A, Baitha U, Aggarwal P, et al.A fatal case of menthol poisoning.Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2016;6(2):137-139. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.179015Baibars M, Eng S, Shaheen K, et al.Menthol toxicity: an unusual cause of coma.Case Rep Med. 2012;2012:187039. doi:10.1155/2012/187039Johnson D, Mead R, Kennelty K, et al.Menthol cough drops: cause for concern?.J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31(2):183-191. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170363
Degeorge K, Ring D, Dalrymple S.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):281-289
DailyMed.Menthol cough drops- menthol lozenge.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 16666, l-menthol.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem.Compound summary for CID 1254, menthol.
Kumar A, Baitha U, Aggarwal P, et al.A fatal case of menthol poisoning.Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2016;6(2):137-139. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.179015
Baibars M, Eng S, Shaheen K, et al.Menthol toxicity: an unusual cause of coma.Case Rep Med. 2012;2012:187039. doi:10.1155/2012/187039
Johnson D, Mead R, Kennelty K, et al.Menthol cough drops: cause for concern?.J Am Board Fam Med. 2018;31(2):183-191. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170363
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