Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the person

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Blood tests to check thyroid level
• Breathing support
• EKG
• Fluids through a vein (IV)
• Laxative

Patients who receive quick treatment make a good recovery. Heart-related complications may lead to death.

Symptoms may not be seen until a week after the overdose. They may be treated successfully with several medications.

Review Date: 10/01/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)