E-liquids, also known as e-juices or vape juices, are solutions made up of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and often nicotine that are used to fill electronic cigarettes and vape devices. While e-liquids are made to be inhaled, some vapers may accidentally swallow small amounts of e-liquid or intentionally drink e-liquids, leading to potential side effects.
Can you swallow e-liquid?
Technically, yes you can swallow e-liquid. However, e-liquids are not meant to be ingested orally and swallowing e-liquids intentionally or in large quantities can lead to negative health effects.
Most e-liquids contain nicotine, which can be toxic if ingested. The propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin used to make e-liquids are also not intended to be swallowed. Additionally, flavorings added to e-liquids may be fine to inhale but could cause issues if swallowed.
While trace ingestion of e-liquid is unlikely to cause harm, intentionally drinking e-liquids or swallowing large amounts of e-liquid is dangerous and can lead to nicotine poisoning or other health issues. E-liquids should always be used as intended by inhalation rather than ingestion.
What happens if you swallow e-liquid?
The effects of swallowing e-liquid depend on the amount swallowed and the ingredients in the specific e-liquid.
Small amounts
Swallowing a small amount of e-liquid by accident is unlikely to cause major health issues. However, it may lead to minor irritation of the throat and mouth. The propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin in e-liquids can cause mild throat irritation. Nicotine can also burn or sting the throat when ingested.
Large amounts
Drinking large quantities of e-liquid or intentionally swallowing e-liquid can lead to much more harmful health effects including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased salivation
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Confusion and agitation
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Respiratory failure
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
These effects occur primarily due to the high levels of nicotine found in most e-liquids. Consuming too much nicotine can lead to nicotine poisoning which requires immediate medical treatment.
Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin
Ingesting large amounts of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin could potentially cause:
- Nausea and gastrointestinal upset
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
However, serious reactions from ingesting these ingredients alone is unlikely at smaller doses.
Flavorings
Flavorings and sweeteners added to some e-liquids could also cause adverse health effects if swallowed. Reactions could include:
- Allergic reactions
- Respiratory irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
Artificial sweeteners like sucralose and saccharin can cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress in large amounts.
What are the long-term effects?
There are no comprehensive scientific studies looking at the long-term effects of intentionally ingesting e-liquids. However, the following effects could potentially occur with repeated intentional ingestion of e-liquids over time:
- Nicotine addiction and dependence
- Increased cancer risk from nicotine ingestion
- Kidney or liver damage from ingredients like propylene glycol or flavorings
- Dental health problems
- Altered brain development in children and adolescents
- Increased risk of birth defects during pregnancy
More research is still needed on the long-term impact of ingesting e-liquids, but intentionally swallowing e-liquids regularly could plausibly lead to chronic health issues over time.
What amount can cause nicotine poisoning?
The amount of nicotine needed to cause fatal nicotine poisoning depends on the concentration of nicotine in the e-liquid as well as the size, age and health condition of the individual ingesting it. Here are some estimates for toxic nicotine doses:
- 10-60 mg for adults
- 10 mg for children under 6 years old
- 2 mg per kg of body weight for adolescents
Most e-liquids contain 1.5-5% nicotine, which works out to about 3-18 mg/mL of nicotine. So drinking even 10mL of a 3mg/mL nicotine e-liquid could potentially cause nicotine poisoning in a child.
Lower nicotine dose e-liquids of 0-6mg/mL would require ingesting much more liquid to cause poisoning. But high nicotine salts solutions used in some vape devices could lead to poisoning with just a few mL ingested.
Any intentional ingestion of e-liquids by children should be treated as a poisoning risk and managed quickly by poison control or emergency medical providers.
What to do if e-liquid is swallowed?
If e-liquid has been swallowed intentionally or by accident, the following steps should be taken:
- Rinse out mouth and drink milk or water to dilute any e-liquid left in mouth.
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by poison control.
- Call poison control or 911 for guidance, especially if a large amount was swallowed or symptoms occur.
- Follow any instructions from poison control – this may include going to the ER right away.
- Bring the e-liquid bottle to show medical staff the ingredients and nicotine concentration.
- Parents should call poison control immediately if e-liquid was swallowed by a child.
Calling poison control quickly can help you receive life-saving treatment and avoid dangerous outcomes like seizures, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or death after swallowing nicotine-containing e-liquids.
How to prevent accidental swallowing
Here are some tips to help prevent accidentally swallowing e-liquid:
- Close bottles tightly when not in use.
- Avoid holding liquid in mouth before inhalation.
- Keep e-liquids locked up and away from children.
- Follow child-proof packaging laws.
- Supervise teens using e-cigarettes.
- Report ingestion of cleaning fluids that resemble e-liquids.
- Use proper e-liquid filling technique to avoid spills.
- Clean up any e-liquid spills right away.
Taking precautions with e-liquid storage, use and disposal can help avoid accidental exposure leading to ingestion and potential nicotine poisoning, especially in children.
Conclusion
While trace ingestion is unlikely to cause significant issues, intentionally drinking e-liquids or swallowing large amounts can lead to severe nicotine poisoning requiring emergency care. Seek immediate medical help if you suspect someone has swallowed a significant amount of e-liquid.
To avoid potential oral health effects, poisoning, and unknown long-term consequences, e-liquids should never be swallowed intentionally. Supervise children using vape products closely and keep e-liquids safely stored out of reach. With proper precautions, swallowing e-liquid can be avoided.