Medical Encyclopedia: Jimsonweed (Print Version)

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Medical Encyclopedia: Jimsonweed

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002881.htm

Alternative names

Angel's trumpet; Devil's weed; Thorn apple; Tolguacha; Jamestown weed; Stinkweed; Datura; Moonflower

Definition

Jimsonweed is a tall herb plant. Jimsonweed poisoning occurs when someone sucks the juice or eats the seeds from this plant. You can also be poisoned by drinking tea made from the leaves.

Poisonous Ingredient

Atropine
Hyoscine (scopolamine)
Hyoscyamine
Tropane alkaloids

Note: This list may not include all poisonous ingredients.

Where Found

The poison is found in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves and seeds.

Symptoms

Bladder and kidneys
- Little to no urine production (urine retention)
Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth
- Blurred vision
- Dilated pupils
- Dry mouth
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Heart and blood
- Elevated blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
Nervous system
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Death
- Delirium
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Headache
Skin
- Red skin
Whole Body
- Fever
- Thirst

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. 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
Name of the plant
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 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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

Activated charcoal
Laxative
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effects of the poison
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Symptoms last for 1 - 3 days and usually require a hospital stay. Death is unlikely.

References

Chan K. Jimson weed poisoning -- a case report. Permanente Journal. 2002;6:30-32.

Update Date: 2/27/2008

Updated by: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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