Strychnine is a white, odorless, bitter crystalline powder that can be taken by mouth, inhaled or mixed in a solution and injected directly into the veins. It is considered a strong poison and only a small amount can cause serious health effects, including death. Today, the chemical is primarily used as a pesticide, to kill rats but can also be found in street drugs.

You can be exposed to strychnine through breathing air, drinking water and eating food that has been contaminated with strychnine.

If you are exposed to strychnine, symptoms will occur within 15 to 60 minutes. This chemical affects your nerve signals to the muscles. This is known as the "off switch" for muscles. When it is not working correctly, muscles throughout the body have severe and painful spasms. If you are exposed to low or moderate doses of strychnine, you may exhibit the symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, painful muscles, fever, weak arms and legs, jaw tightness, inability to breathe and dark urine. If you are exposed to high amounts of strychnine, you may exhibit symptoms within the first 15 to 30 minutes of the inability to breathe can lead to death.

If you think you have been exposed to strychnine through ingestion, call your doctor at once and he or she will check your symptoms and provide treatment, if necessary. Do not induce vomiting. If you are exposed to the chemical by inhaling it, leave the area quickly and get to fresh air. Remove your clothing and quickly wash your entire body with soap and water. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse them with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them before rinsing your eyes. Place your contaminated clothes and contact lenses into a plastic bag and seal. Place the bag into a second plastic bag and seal. Call 911 for medical attention and removal of the contaminated items. Do not drive yourself to the hospital as you may become very ill on your way.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)