MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Jerusalem cherry poisoning

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Jerusalem cherry poisoning

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

Christmas cherry poisoning; Ornamental pepper poisoning; Tom thumb poisoning; Winter cherry poisoning

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning caused by eating pieces of the Jerusalem cherry plant.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Solanocapsine

Where Found Return to top

The poison is found throughout the Jerusalem cherry plant, but especially in the unripened fruit and leaves.

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Headache
Drowsiness
Slowed breathing
Dilated pupils
Slow pulse
Low blood pressure
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hallucinations
Delirium
Coma

Home Care Return to top

Call the Poison Control center for guidance. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
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.

Take the container with you to the hospital, 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:

Fluids
Medicines to treat symptoms
Activated charcoal
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Death has been reported but is rare.

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.

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