Safety of Vicks Vaporub

Content
Menthol, camphor, turpentine oil and eucalyptus oil
Posology and method of administration
Adults:

• Rub Vaporub liberally on the chest, throat and back. Rub in well over the whole area and leave nightclothes loose for easy inhalation.
• Melt two teaspoons of Vaporub in very hot water and inhale the vapours.

Children (infants and babies over 2 years):

• Apply lightly to chest and back. Rub gently and leave clothes loose for easy inhalation.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.
• Do not administer to children < 2 years.
• Do not use as an inhalation for children < 12 years.

Special warnings and precautions

• The following patient groups should use with caution or consult a doctor before use;
• History of airway disease or pronounced hypersensitivity of the airways / asthma
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.
• If symptoms persist, consult your doctor

Topical:

• Do not apply to broken skin, wounds or mucous membranes.
• Do not swallow or apply directly onto the nostrils, eyes, mouth or face.
• For external use only
• Do not bandage tightly. Do not use with heat wrap or any kind of heat.

Inhalation:

• Do not use boiling water to prepare inhalations.
• Do not heat or re-heat the mixture in a microwave.

Overdose

• Over dosage may result in skin irritation.

Misuse:

• Swallowing of the ointment might cause gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea. Treatment is symptomatic.
• After significant accidental consumption, acute poisoning was observed after significant accidental consumption, with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache, vertigo, feeling hot / flushing, convulsions, respiratory depression and coma.
• In case of accidental ingestion seek medical assistance.
• Patients with severe gastrointestinal or neurological symptoms of poisoning should be observed and treated symptomatically. Do not induce vomiting.

Evidence of benefit

• children treated with Vapor Rub were significantly more able to sleep than were children randomized to receive petrolatum or no treatment.
• Researchers wrote, “Combinations of aromatic oils in a petrolatum base have been used for generations, but this study demonstrates that this therapy is indeed effective.”

Evidence of Harm

• Test tube results showed Vicks VapoRub exposure increased mucus secretion in the animals' airways, whether the tracheas were normal or inflamed to simulate a person with a chest infection.
• Vicks appeared to increase mucus production, increase fluids in the lungs and make airways less clear, causing worsened breathing in patients. 
• In particular, application of Vicks Vapor Rub ointment into the nasal passages can result in respiratory distress and lung problems, such as pneumonia

References:

1. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/20328
2. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2010/11/08/peds.2010-1601.abstract
3. http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/avoid-applying-vicks-vaporub-to-babies-pediatricians-say-1.845457