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Anticoagulant rodenticides poisoning

Definition

Anticoagulant rodenticides are very poisonous products used to kill rats. Rodenticide means rodent killer. Anticoagulant is a blood thinner.

Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning occurs when someone swallows a product containing these chemicals.

Alternative Names

Rat killer poisoning; Rodenticide poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

• 2-iso-valeryl-1,3-indandione
• 2-pivaloyl-1,3-indandione
• Brodifacoum
• Chlorophacinone
• Coumachlor
• Difenacoum
• Diphacinone
• Warfarin

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found

• Brodifacoum (D-con Mouse Prufe II, Talon)
• Certain rodenticides
• Diphacinone (Ramik, Diphacin)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Blood in the urine
• Bloody stools
• Bruising and bleeding
• Low blood pressure
• Shock
• Vomiting blood

An exam by a health care professional may show signs of bleeding in the brain.

Home Care

Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• When it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

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 United States 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.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

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:

• Blood transfusion
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison

Outlook (Prognosis)

Death may occur as late as 2 weeks after the poisoning as a result of bleeding. However, adequate treatment usually prevents any serious complications.

Review Date: 10/29/2007
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.