Menthol toxicity: an unusual cause of coma

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Human Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Menthol is recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its efficacy in alleviating common cold symptoms.
• Menthol is generally considered to have a low toxicity profile.
• While high menthol exposure effects are documented in animals, human long-term use impacts remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of chronic menthol exposure in a human.
• To investigate the potential adverse health effects associated with long-term, significant menthol consumption.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a patient with chronic menthol exposure.
• Clinical observation and documentation of patient's symptoms.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with a combination of cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations.
• These symptoms are associated with chronic exposure to a significant amount of menthol.

Conclusions:

• This case highlights a rare instance of menthol-associated chronic health issues in humans.
• Further research is warranted to understand the long-term effects and toxicity of menthol in human populations.