Ricin (cont.)

Medical Author:

Ferdinando L Mirarchi, DO

Coauthor:

Michael Allswede, DO

Medical Editor:

Jerry L Mothershead, MD

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Robert G Darling, MD

No antidote or vaccine is available for ricin. Regardless of the route of exposure, treatment remains mainly supportive.

If exposure is from inhaled aerosol, the person may need assistance with breathing. If particularly severe, the person who was exposed may require intubation and use of a ventilator.
If ricin was ingested, the stomach may need to be pumped (called gastric decontamination). Superactivated charcoal may also be given to help soak up the poison. To treat dehydration, intravenous fluids may be given.