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Warning-sign checks

Bacitracin overdose: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, fainting, a seizure, or inability to wake the person.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent reassessment for persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, much less urine than usual, increasing swelling, worsening weakness, or new confusion.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up may be appropriate if a local rash continues after the product is stopped, the wound is not healing, or there are questions about a safer alternative.

    Do not restart bacitracin after a suspected allergy unless a clinician confirms that it is appropriate.

    Tell healthcare professionals about the reaction so it can be recorded accurately.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed

The article also says

Follow the monitoring instructions provided by the poison center or treating clinician.

After a minor exposure, this may mean watching for vomiting, diarrhea, rash, unusual sleepiness, breathing problems, or changes in urination for a specified period.

People treated for a significant exposure may need repeat blood or urine tests to confirm that kidney function is stable or improving.

Keep these appointments even if symptoms have eased, because early kidney injury does not always cause noticeable symptoms.

Store ointments and other medicines in their original containers, secured away from children.

Read the active-ingredient label because products marketed as “antibiotic ointment” may contain several medicines.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Bacitracin overdose. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.