Solutions & prevention
Medicines for Electric shock
Injury from electricity passing through the body, which can range from a minor jolt to a life-threatening emergency — where making the area safe comes first.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Electric shock?
An electric shock happens when an electric current passes through the body, for example from faulty appliances, damaged wiring, contact with power sources, or lightning. The effects range widely depending on the voltage, the type of current, the path it takes through the body, and how long the contact lasts.
- How it is treated: The first and most important step is safety: do not touch a person who is still in contact with an electrical source, as the current can pass to you.
- Self-care: Prevention: keep wiring and appliances well maintained, do not use damaged electrical equipment, keep electricity away from water, use residual current devices (RCDs), childproof sockets, and follow electrical safety advice.
- When to seek help: Make the area safe first — do not touch someone still in contact with electricity; switch off the power.
What it is
An electric shock happens when an electric current passes through the body, for example from faulty appliances, damaged wiring, contact with power sources, or lightning. The effects range widely depending on the voltage, the type of current, the path it takes through the body, and how long the contact lasts. A minor shock from a household source may cause a brief painful jolt, tingling, or a small burn with no lasting harm. More serious shocks — particularly from high-voltage sources or lightning — can cause deep burns (including internal injury along the current's path), muscle and nerve damage, dangerous disturbances of the heart's rhythm (which can cause cardiac arrest), loss of consciousness, and injuries from being thrown or falling. Even when the skin looks only mildly affected, there can be significant internal injury, so serious shocks need medical assessment. Children are also at risk from household electricity and from putting objects into sockets.
How it is treated
The first and most important step is safety: do not touch a person who is still in contact with an electrical source, as the current can pass to you. Switch off the power at the mains if possible, or move the source away using a non-conductive object (such as a wooden broom) if it is safe to do so, before touching the person. For high-voltage electricity or power lines, keep well back and call the emergency services and the electricity company — do not approach. Once it is safe, if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 and start CPR, continuing until help arrives, as electric shock can stop the heart. Any electrical burns are cooled and covered, and the person is kept still if injury is suspected. Because internal damage and heart-rhythm problems can occur even without obvious external injury, anyone who has had a significant electric shock (especially high-voltage, or with any loss of consciousness, burns, or feeling unwell) should be medically assessed. Prevention includes maintaining wiring and appliances, using socket covers around young children, and following electrical safety.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Electric shock
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Prevention: keep wiring and appliances well maintained, do not use damaged electrical equipment, keep electricity away from water, use residual current devices (RCDs), childproof sockets, and follow electrical safety advice. Never approach high-voltage sources or power lines.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Make the area safe first — do not touch someone still in contact with electricity; switch off the power. Call 999 and start CPR if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Seek medical assessment after any significant shock (high-voltage, loss of consciousness, burns, or feeling unwell), even if external injury seems minor. Keep well back from power lines and call emergency services.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Electric shock: frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do if someone has an electric shock?
Make sure it is safe — do not touch a person still in contact with the electrical source, as the current can pass to you. Switch off the power at the mains, then help. For high-voltage or power lines, keep back and call emergency services.
Should I see a doctor after an electric shock?
Minor household shocks with no symptoms may not need assessment, but any significant shock — high-voltage, with loss of consciousness, burns, or feeling unwell — should be medically assessed, as internal damage and heart-rhythm problems can occur even without obvious external injury.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Electric shock
- Resuscitation Council UK / electrical safety guidance
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