Poisoning Treatment

Self-Care at Home

If you or someone you know has swallowed or breathed a poison and you or they have signs or symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, trouble breathing, seizure, confusion, or abnormal skin color, then you must call either an ambulance or the U.S. National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. This number is routed to the poison control center that serves your area.

• Post the telephone number (along with police, fire, and 911 or equivalent) near your home phones.
  
  
• Do not induce vomiting or give syrup of Ipecac.
  
  
  • Ipecac was previously used to induce vomiting in poisoned patients where there was a chance to get the toxin out of the body. Several advisory bodies such as the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended that Ipecac NOT be used and that it should not even be kept in the household. For more information on this subject go to: http://www.poison.org/prepared/ipecac.asp
  
  
  
• Do not give activated charcoal at home. Allow medical personnel to decide if this treatment is appropriate.
  
  
• The poison control center will instruct you what to do or if an antidote is readily available.