Definition

Bacitracin zinc is a medicine that is used on cuts and other skin wounds to help prevent infection. Bacitracin is an antibiotic, a medicine that kills germs. Small amounts of bacitracin zinc are dissolved in petroleum jelly to create antibiotic ointments.

Bacitracin zinc overdose occurs when someone swallows products containing this ingredient or uses more than the normal or recommended amount of the product. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with has an exposure reaction or swallows it, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Alternative Names

Cortisporin ointment overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Bacitracin and zinc can be poisonous if they are swallowed or get in the eyes.

Where Found

These ingredients are found in many different products, including certain:

• Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments
• Prescription antibiotic eye drops and ointments

Bacitracin zinc may also be added to animal food.

Other products may also contain bacitracin zinc.

Symptoms

Bacitracin zinc is very safe. However, getting bacitracin zinc ointment intended for skin use in the eyes may cause redness, pain, and itching.

Eating bacitracin in large amounts may cause pain in your stomach, and you might throw up.

In rare cases, bacitracin zinc causes an allergic reaction, usually redness and itching of the skin. If the reaction is severe, there may be difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Home Care

If you have a reaction to bacitracin zinc, stop using the product. For serious reactions, seek emergency medical care right away.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk. Do NOT give water or milk if the person is vomiting or has a decreased level of alertness.

Call poison control or your local emergency number (such as 911) for assistance.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

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

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline 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.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Chest x-ray
• ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)

Treatment may include:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing support, which may include oxygen or a ventilator (tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine)
• Intravenous fluids (IV, given through a vein)
• Laxative
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Skin and eye washing (irrigation) if the product touched these tissues and they have become irritated or swollen

Outlook (Prognosis)

If an allergic reaction is controlled, recovery is very likely. Survival beyond 24 hours usually is a sign that recovery is likely.

References

Aronson JK. Bacitracin. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:807-808.

Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.