Drain opening agents are chemicals used to open clogged drains, often in homes. Drain opening agent poisoning can occur if a child accidentally drinks these chemicals, or if someone splashes the poison into the eyes when pouring it or breathes in the fumes of "foaming" drain openers.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

• Hydrochloric acid
• Lye (sodium hydroxide or caustic soda)
• Potassium hydroxide
• Sulfuric acid

• Drain cleaners or openers

Note: This list may not include all sources of drain opening agents.

• Blood
  • Severe change in acid level of blood (pH balance), which leads to damage in all of the body organs
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Burns to the eyes, which may result in permanent vision loss
  • Severe pain in the throat
  • Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
• Gastrointestinal
  • Blood in the stool
  • Burns and possible holes in the food pipe (esophagus)
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Vomiting blood
• Heart and blood
  • Collapse
  • Low blood pressure that develops rapidly
• Lungs and airways
  • Breathing difficulty (from breathing in drain opening agent)
  • Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Skin
  • Burns
  • Holes (necrosis) in the skin or tissues underneath
  • Irritation