Brief Answer:
Risks explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask a Doctor service,

Vicks is an over the counter medication that used to be considered completely safe but recently is found to contain an ingredient that may cause side effects and also in some cases addiction (camphor).

Producers give clear instructions on the safe use and anything else that deviates from this exposes the patient to possible side effects or overdose symptoms, some of which may be:
- strong burning sensation
- agitation and restlessness
- stomach irritation
- shortness of breath
- loss of consciousness
- fast pulse
- seizures

Studies have shown that certain amounts of Vicks can even be life-threatening to children, thus there are serious complications and risks that patients may expose themselves while using it not as recommended.

I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Vicks has been used for almost a century but the concern about the addictive effects and other potential side effects has been raised only recently. Thus, there are some clear data on children, this is the reason it is not recommended under 2 years of age but there is no definite information related to a certain dose for dangerous effects in adults. As a rule of thumb, any dose higher than the dose recommended on the leaflet is a potential risk for dangerous effects. Even use in a different way from the recommended way of use is a potential risk for dangerous effects (drinking it instead of rubbing it on the skin).

As for stopping it, there is no approved antidote or any drug that may reverse the effect or dependence and the best way is to quit completely at once and treat the withdrawal symptoms. This may sometimes be very difficult though.
So, another alternative is to try to lower the dose gradually. For instance, if you have been drinking 4 tablespoons a day for the last month, you may try to cut it to three tablespoons a day for a week and than 2.5/day for another week and then 2/day for another week and then 1.5, 1, 0.5 and then 0.5 every other day for a short time, till you completely stop using it.

Trying to fight addiction may go through cycles of going back to the habit of using the drug. This is something that may happen with you as well. You will need the help of a doctor to monitor your withdrawal symptoms and treat them promptly to increase the chance of you breaking this cycle. Also, a psychotherapist may play an important role in how to manage the mental craving.

I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician

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