Lily-of-the-valley

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

• Home Treatment
• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

Poisoning from eating plant parts of the lily-of-the-valley.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

• convallarin
• convallamarin

Where Found    Return to top

• The fruit, leaves, flowers, and roots of the lily-of-the-valley plant.

Symptoms    Return to top

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

Home Treatment    Return to top

Contact Poison Control Center for appropriate treatment information.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

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    Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the plant with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• induce vomiting
• administer activated charcoal
• monitor vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and so forth)
• monitor EKG (monitors heart function)
• blood samples drawn to determine:
  • serum magnesium levels
  • serum potassium levels
• administration of antidote and other medication to correct problems resulting from the overdose if needed
• correction of electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

If the individual survives the first 24 hours their chances of survival are very good.