Oleander

Alternative names

Common oleander; Rosebay

Definition

Poisoning from sucking nectar from the flowers, chewing leaves, using the branches as skewers to roast meat, or from honey made by bees using the oleander plant for nectar.

Poisonous Ingredient

• neriin
  
• oleondroside
  
• oleandrin
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found

• twigs, leaves, and flowers of the oleander plant
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• body as a whole
  o weakness
  o dizziness
  
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o blurred vision
  o halos around objects (yellow, green, white) *
  
• skin
  o rash
  o hives
  
• gastrointestinal
  o loss of appetite *
  o vomiting or nausea
  o abdominal pain (lower stomach)
  o diarrhea
  
• heart and blood vessels
  o irregular or slow heartbeat
  o low blood pressure
  
• nervous system
  o drowsiness
  o confusion
  o depression *
  o headache
  o fainting
  o lethargy
  o disorientation
  o death
  

*Usually only seen in chronic overdose

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• the name of the plant
  
• the time it was swallowed
  
• the amount swallowed
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container or plant with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room