MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Jimsonweed

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Jimsonweed

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Care Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Alternative Names

Angel's trumpet; Devil's weed; Thorn apple; Tolguacha

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning from sucking the juice or eating the seeds from a jimsonweed plant. You can also be poisoned by drinking tea made from the leaves.

Jimsonweed is known as Jamestown weed, thorn apple, stinkweed, Datura, and moonflower.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Hyoscyamine
Atropine
Hyoscine (scopolamine)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found Return to top

The poison is found in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves and seeds.

Symptoms Return to top

Bladder and kidneys

Little to no urine production (Urine retention)

Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth

Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Dilated pupils

Skin

Red skin

Gastrointestinal

Nausea
Vomiting

Heart and blood

Rapid pulse
Elevated blood pressure

Nervous system

Hallucinations
Dizziness
Headache
Convulsions
Delirium
Coma
Death

Whole Body

Fever
Thirst

Home Care Return to top

Do not make the person throw up unless told to do so by a doctor or Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the plant
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control Return to top

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Bring the plant with you to the emergency room, if possible.

See National Poison Control Center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicines to make the person throw up
Medicines to reverse the effects of the poison
Activated charcoal
Laxative
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Symptoms last for 1-3 days and usually require hospitalization. Death is unlikely.

How well a patient does depends on how much of the poison was swallowed, their age, and how quickly treatment was received.

Update Date: 3/21/2006

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.