Mercuric chloride poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Mercuric chloride is a very poisonous form of mercury. It is a type of mercury salt. There are different types of mercury poisonings. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing mercuric chloride.
P This article is for information only. Do NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

T Poisonous Ingredient
P Mercuric chloride

T Where Found
P Mercuric chloride may be found in some:
- Antiseptics
- Dry cell batteries
P Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

T Symptoms
P Symptoms of mercuric chloride poisoning include:
- Abdominal pain (severe)
- Breathing difficulty (severe)
- Decreased urine output (may stop completely)
- Diarrhea (bloody)
- Drooling
- Metallic taste
- Mouth lesions
- Pain in the throat and mouth (severe)
- Shock
- Swelling in the throat (may be severe)
- Vomiting, including blood

T Home Care
P Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. If clothing is contaminated with the poison, try to safely remove it while protecting yourself from contact with the poison.

T Before Calling Emergency
P The following information is helpful for emergency assistance:
- Person's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
P However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

T Poison Control
P Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
P This is a free and confidential service. 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.
P Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

T What to Expect at the Emergency Room
P The health care provider will measure and monitor vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The person may receive:
- Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth (intubation), and breathing machine (ventilator)
- Blood and urine tests
- Camera down the throat (endoscopy) to see burns in the food pipe (esophagus) and stomach
- Chest x-ray
- EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
- Fluids through a vein (intravenous or IV)
- Medicines to treat symptoms
- Medicines called chelators to remove mercury from the bloodstream, which may reduce long-term injury

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P This substance is very poisonous. How well the person does often depends on what symptoms occur within the first 10 to 15 minutes after swallowing it and how quickly treatment is received. Kidney dialysis (filtration) through a machine may be needed if the kidneys do not recover after acute mercury poisoning, Kidney failure and death can occur, even with small doses.
P If the poisoning has occurred slowly over time, any brain damage may be permanent.

T References
P Tokar EJ, Boyd WA, Freedman JH, Waalkes MP. Toxic effects of metals. In: Klaassen CD, Watkins JB, eds. Casarett and Doull's Essentials of Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Medical; 2015:chap 23.
P Theobald JL, Mycyk MB. Iron and heavy metals. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 151.

T Review Date 1/31/2017
P Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

