Medical Encyclopedia: Black nightshade poisoning (Print Version)

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Medical Encyclopedia: Black nightshade poisoning

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002887.htm

Alternative names

Nightshade poisoning; Morelle noire poisoning; Wonderberry poisoning

Definition

Black nightshade poisoning occurs when someone eats pieces of the black nightshade plant.

Poisonous Ingredient

Atropine
Solanine (very poisonous even in small amounts)

Where Found

Black nightshade plant, especially in the unripened fruit and leaves.

Symptoms

Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
- Enlarged (dilated) pupils
Gastrointestinal
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
Heart and blood
- Pulse - slow or rapid
- Shock
Lungs
- Slowed breathing
Nervous system
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Loss of sensation
- Paralysis
Whole body
- Fever
- Lower-than-normal temperature
- Sweating

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, 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.

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
Fluids by IV
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.

References

Palmer M, Betz J. Plants. In: Hoffman RS, Goldfrank LR, Flomenbaum NE, et al., eds. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2002:chap 78.

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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