Oleander

Definition

This is poisoning from sucking nectar from the flowers or chewing leaves from the oleander or yellow oleander plant. Poisoning can also happen if you eat honey made by bees that used the oleander plant for nectar.

Alternative Names

Rosebay poisoning; Yellow oleander poisoning; Thevatia peruviana poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

• Neriin
• Oleondroside
• Oleandrin

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found

Twigs, leaves, and flowers of the oleander plant

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal

• Loss of appetite 
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea

Heart and blood

• Irregular or slow heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Weakness

Nervous system

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Depression 
• Headache
• Fainting
• Lethargy
• Disorientation
• Dizziness
• Death

Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat

• Blurred vision
• Vision disturbances, including halos

Skin

• Rash
• Hives

Note: Depression, loss of appetite, and halos are usually only seen in chronic overdose cases.

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

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

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:

• EKG
• Blood tests to determineserum magnesium andserum potassium levels
• Medicine to reverse effect of the poison (antidote)
• Treatment to correct  electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   

Expectations (prognosis)

If the individual survives the first 24 hours their chances of survival are very good.