Copper

• Copper wire
• Some aquarium products
• Clinitest tablets (see Clinitest tablets overdose)
• Vitamin and/or mineral supplements

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Acute overdose by ingestion may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and jaundice. External contamination from copper can result in hair discoloration (green).

• Body as a whole
  • Burning sensation
  • Metallic taste
  • Pain
  • Shock
  • No urine output
  • Convulsions
  • Fever
  • Muscular aches
  • Chills
  • Weakness
  • Anemia
• Yellow eyes
• Yellow skin
• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you suspect possible poisoning, call 1-800-222-1222 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.

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (and ingredients and strengths, if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring a sample with you to the emergency room.

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Induce vomiting
• Administer activated charcoal
• Use gastric lavage
• Administer an antidote
• Dialysis
• Treat the symptoms

If treated promptly and properly, copper poisoning is rarely severe. If toxicity is due to long-time accumulation, the ultimate outcome depends on the extent of damage in body organs affected by the metal.