What Happens If I Eat Too Much Menthol Candy?

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published in Case Reports in Medicine, one man who consumed two bags of menthol-rich cough drops daily for 20 years experienced severe gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and neurological issues. While this is an extreme case, it highlights that consuming too much menthol candy can lead to adverse health effects, particularly with chronic or excessive intake.

Quick Summary

Excessive menthol candy consumption can cause stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, and headaches. While rare, high doses can lead to more severe neurological symptoms like confusion, seizures, or unsteadiness. Always adhere to package instructions to avoid overconsumption risks.

Key Points

Gastrointestinal Upset: Excessive menthol can irritate the stomach lining, leading to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Neurological Side Effects: High consumption can cause dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness due to its effect on the central nervous system.
Potential for Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to menthol, causing symptoms like skin rashes or swelling.
Rare, Severe Overdose: While extremely unlikely from candy alone, ingesting massive quantities of menthol can lead to severe issues like convulsions, seizures, or coma.
Check Active Ingredients: Be mindful of other active ingredients in medicated cough drops, like dextromethorphan (DXM) or sorbitol, as they have their own risks when overconsumed.
Seek Medical Help for Severe Symptoms: If severe symptoms like persistent vomiting, confusion, or seizures occur, contact poison control or seek immediate medical attention.
Chronic vs. Acute Risks: Chronic overconsumption over years has been linked to kidney problems and other long-term issues, while acute excess intake is more likely to cause immediate, though often less severe, symptoms.

The Risks of Excessive Menthol Consumption

Menthol, a compound derived from peppermint and other mint oils, provides a cooling, soothing sensation often used in candies and cough drops. While safe in small doses, ingesting excessive amounts, either acutely or over a long period, can trigger a range of adverse health effects. The primary concern stems from the concentration of menthol, which, when consumed far beyond normal levels, can become toxic to the body.

Gastrointestinal Upset

One of the most common consequences of eating too much menthol candy is gastrointestinal distress. The menthol can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, leading to several unpleasant symptoms. This is often the first sign that you have overdone your candy consumption.

Nausea and Vomiting: A persistent nauseous feeling is a classic indicator of menthol overconsumption. In some cases, this can escalate to vomiting as the body attempts to purge the excess menthol.
Abdominal Pain: Stomach pain and intestinal spasms are frequently reported side effects. The irritation can cause discomfort and cramping.
Diarrhea: High intake of menthol can cause a laxative effect, resulting in diarrhea.
Heartburn: Menthol has been known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle separating the esophagus from the stomach. This can allow stomach acid to flow back up, causing heartburn or worsening symptoms for those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Neurological Symptoms

Beyond digestive issues, high doses of menthol can affect the central nervous system, leading to more serious and disconcerting symptoms.

Dizziness and Headaches: Many people report experiencing dizziness and severe headaches after consuming excessive amounts of menthol.
Drowsiness and Fatigue: Lethargy and sleepiness can occur as the body processes the large menthol load.
Confusion and Ataxia: In severe cases, high menthol concentrations can lead to confusion and ataxia, which is poor muscle control resulting in clumsy, unsteady movements.
Severe Complications: In very rare instances of extreme poisoning, neurological symptoms can progress to hallucinations, seizures, and even a coma. These are typically associated with extremely high doses, far beyond what most people would consume from candy.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects

Excessive menthol can also impact the cardiovascular system. A rapid or pounding heart rate is a documented symptom of menthol toxicity. While typically less severe with candy consumption, it is a risk to be aware of. In rare, highly concentrated exposures (such as inhaling menthol fumes), respiratory distress can occur, though this is not a concern with standard candy.

Menthol Dosage and Toxicity Comparison

It is important to understand the significant difference in menthol concentration between typical candies and the levels required for toxicity. A standard menthol cough drop contains only a small amount, typically 5-10 milligrams. A lethal dose is estimated at up to 1 gram (1000 mg) per kilogram of body weight, meaning an average adult would need to consume thousands of cough drops to reach a fatal level. However, chronic overconsumption can still cause significant issues, as demonstrated by the case study of the 86-year-old man.


Feature	Acute High-Dose Menthol Candy Consumption	Chronic Excessive Menthol Candy Consumption	Standard Recommended Usage	Extreme Toxicity (Very Rare)
Symptom Onset	Rapid (within hours)	Gradual (over weeks/years)	None	Rapid and severe
Main Symptoms	Nausea, stomach pain, dizziness	Skin rashes, oral ulcers, organ issues	Relief from throat irritation	Convulsions, coma, organ failure
Dosage Required	Significantly exceeds package recommendation	Consistent daily overconsumption	Follows package directions	Extremely high, near-lethal intake
Risk Level	Low to moderate	Low to moderate, but can be serious	Very low	Very high
Medical Intervention	May require supportive care	Professional diagnosis needed	Not required	Immediate emergency care

When to Seek Medical Help

If you believe you or someone you know has consumed too much menthol and are experiencing severe or persistent symptoms, it's critical to seek medical attention. The national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) can provide immediate guidance. Symptoms that warrant immediate medical evaluation include:

Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
Loss of consciousness or significant confusion
Seizures or tremors
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Difficulty breathing

Medical treatment for menthol intoxication is primarily supportive and may involve activated charcoal, intravenous fluids, and monitoring vital signs.

The Takeaway: Everything in Moderation

For most people, enjoying a few menthol candies for a sore throat or a refreshing flavor is perfectly safe. The vast majority of reported issues arise from prolonged, excessive use or from ingesting large amounts of pure menthol, which is a rare event. As with any substance, moderation is key. Follow the recommended dosage on packaging, and if you have underlying health conditions like GERD, gallstones, or are on certain medications, it's wise to consult a doctor before incorporating large amounts of menthol-containing products into your routine.

Resources For more information on menthol poisoning and its treatment, the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia offers a comprehensive resource.(https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002673.htm)

Frequently Asked Questions

It is extremely difficult to overdose on regular menthol candy because the concentration of menthol is very low. An adult would need to consume thousands of individual pieces to reach a toxic level.

The initial signs of excessive menthol intake typically involve gastrointestinal issues such as stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea.

Yes, overconsumption of menthol can cause headaches and dizziness as a result of its effects on the central nervous system.

In high doses, menthol can cause cardiovascular symptoms such as a rapid or pounding heart rate. If you experience these, it's best to reduce intake.

While unlikely to be lethal, it's safest to call a poison control center immediately for guidance. Have information about the child's weight and the candy consumed ready.

While rare, chronic, excessive consumption over many years has been associated with more serious issues like skin lesions, mouth sores, and decreased kidney function in documented case studies.

The menthol itself is the same compound, but cough drops often contain other active ingredients (like dextromethorphan) not found in typical candy. Risks associated with overconsumption can therefore differ based on the specific product.

Many sugar-free menthol candies use sugar alcohols like sorbitol. Excessive consumption of sorbitol can also cause its own side effects, including severe diarrhea, gas, and abdominal cramping.