There are medicines that are packed together with little packs of Silica Gel. These packs are labelled “DO NOT EAT”. However, I just learnt today that some of our patients are swallowing them together with their medicines. The patient claimed that it looks like what she sees in omeprazole.
Silica Gel is a dessicant. It is chemically inert, meaning it won’t break down in the body and cause poisoning. Still, it isn’t advisable for one to ingest them. If ingested in large numbers, it might lead to intestinal obstruction. It can also cause chocking especially in children and dehydration. Incase of any vomiting, diarrhoea or other symptoms, one should visit a hospital, since the Silica Gel might have been coated with Cobalt Chloride which is Toxic.
This is me informing you that some of our patients are ingesting Silica Gel.
Dr. Caffeine Citrate