Ingestion of a large amount of copper sulfate can result in severe illness.
Situations where encountered:
(1) industrial accident
(2) agricultural accident
(3) suicide or homicide
Ingestion of 1 gram can result in clinical symptoms while a dose > 10 g can be fatal.
Clinical findings:
(1) gastrointestinal findings (vomiting, epigastric pain, diarrhea)
(2) hemolysis
(3) methemoglobinemia
(4) acute hepatitis with variable jaundice
(5) rhabdomyolysis
(6) renal failure
(7) multi-organ failure
Vomitus and gastric contents may have greenish-blue color.
Upper GI endoscopy may show corrosive injury to esophagus and stomach.
In addition to supportive care, management may include:
(1) administration of chelators
(2) methylene blue for methemoglobinemia
(3) plasmapheresis
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine
