FAQs

Some callers might feel we are asking questions and wasting crucial time. But only a careful evaluation of all the facts will allow the Poison Center to determine if a case presents a serious risk.

Once the information is gathered, the Poison Center staff member will calculate the amount of the exposure compared to body weight. This information we gather will help to determine the toxicity and to make treatment recommendations.
 

To help you as quickly as possible, please be ready to provide:

• The age and weight of the affected person
• The name of the substance involved
• The amount and time of exposure
• Any symptoms the person is experiencing
• Your name and phone number (in case we get disconnected or need to follow up)

If you don’t have all this information, don’t worry - call anyway. We’ll guide you through the process and help with whatever you know.

When you call the Iowa Poison Control Center, your call is answered by a specially trained nurse or pharmacist with expertise in toxicology. All calls are confidential. We ask questions to better understand the situation and provide the best advice for your specific case. We may also follow up to check on the person’s recovery. Our goal is to help you safely and quickly, not to judge or report you.

Yes! The Iowa Poison Control Center is here for both emergencies and general questions about poisons, medicine safety, chemical exposures, and prevention. Don’t hesitate to call if you’re unsure whether something is dangerous or if you just need advice.

Yes, our services are completely free for everyone in Iowa. There is no charge to you or your insurance for calling the Poison Center. You can call as often as you need, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Absolutely. Interpreter services are available in more than 150 languages. If you need help in a language other than English, just tell us what language you speak when you call, and we’ll connect you with an interpreter right away.

You can call as often as you need, 24/7, 365 days a year.

If someone is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or experiencing a seizure, call 911 right away. For all other poison exposures – including swallowing, inhaling, or touching a potentially harmful substance – call the Iowa Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. We’ll tell you what to do next, and in many cases, we can help you manage the situation safely at home.

Every year, the most common poison exposures involve:

• Medications (both prescription and over-the-counter)
• Household cleaners and disinfectants
• Personal care products (like cosmetics, lotions, and hand sanitizers)
• Plants and mushrooms
• Pesticides and insect repellents

If you’re ever unsure if something is poisonous, call the Iowa Poison Control Center for expert guidance.

A poison exposure refers to any contact with a substance that can be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, splashed in the eyes, or absorbed through the skin. This includes common household items, medications, chemicals, plants, and more. If you think someone has been exposed – even if you’re not sure it’s dangerous – call us for advice.

• Store medicines and household products in their original containers, locked up and out of reach of children.
• Never mix cleaning products – they can create dangerous fumes.
• Keep personal care products and chemicals away from food and drinks.
• Read labels carefully and always follow directions.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

For more tips, visit our Poison Help Safety Guide or call us with your questions.

If you think someone has been poisoned or have a question about a poison, you should contact the Iowa Poison Control Center by calling 1-800-22-1222 for immediate assistance. If the person is unconscious, having difficulty breathing or having a seizure, call 9-1-1.

Signs of poisoning in children can include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, stomach pain, trouble breathing, seizures, or unusual behavior. Some poisons don’t cause symptoms right away, so if you suspect poisoning, call the Poison Center for advice—even if your child looks and acts normal.

If your child is not breathing, has collapsed, is having a seizure, or is unresponsive, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, if your child is awake and alert, call the Iowa Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Bring the container or bottle of the substance with you to the phone, if possible, so you can provide details.

Common household poisons include:

• Medications (even vitamins and supplements)
• Cleaning products (bleach, detergent, disinfectants)
• Personal care items (hand sanitizer, mouthwash, cosmetics)
• Pesticides and insect repellents
• Plants and mushrooms
• Batteries and button batteries

Keep these items out of reach and locked up to help prevent accidental poisonings.

Lead poisoning can develop slowly and may not show clear symptoms at first. Signs can include headaches, loss of appetite, trouble concentrating, tiredness, stomach pain, and in severe cases, vomiting or seizures. If you live in an older home or suspect lead exposure, ask your doctor about a blood lead test for your child.

Yes. Swallowing button batteries is a medical emergency, especially for young children. If you think your child may have swallowed a battery, call 911 right away or go to the nearest emergency room. Then call the Poison Center for further guidance. Do not try to make your child vomit.

If your child swallowed, inhaled, or got a chemical on their skin or in their eyes, call the Iowa Poison Control Center immediately. Do not induce vomiting or give them anything to eat or drink unless told to do so. For eye or skin exposures, rinse the area with running water while you call.

Call the Iowa Poison Control Center right away. Bring the medication bottles with you to the phone so you can provide the names and how much was taken. We’ll help you figure out what steps to take next.

• Keep an up-to-date medication list, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
• Use a pill organizer.
• Double-check labels and dosages before taking any medication.
• Ask your pharmacist to review your medicines for possible interactions.
  If you ever have questions or concerns, call the Poison Center for advice.

If you have taken more than the recommended dose of any medication, or you’re unsure, call the Iowa Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear - some medication effects can be delayed. We can help you figure out what to do next and whether you need medical attention.

For adults, common causes of poisoning include medication overdoses (both prescription and over-the-counter), mixing medications or taking the wrong dose, alcohol, carbon monoxide, cleaning products, pesticides, and sometimes recreational drug use. Double-checking medications and using household chemicals safely can help prevent accidental poisonings.

If the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or having a seizure, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, call the Iowa Poison Control Center for guidance. We can help you determine the next steps and whether emergency care is needed.

Yes! Mixing certain cleaning products (like bleach and ammonia) can create dangerous gases. If you experience coughing, trouble breathing, burning eyes, or dizziness after mixing or using cleaners, leave the area to get fresh air and call the Poison Control Center right away for advice.

The Iowa Poison Control Center provides advice for humans only. If your pet has been exposed to a potentially poisonous substance, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center as soon as possible.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause symptoms like headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. If you think you’ve been exposed, leave the area, get to fresh air, and call 911. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home to help prevent poisoning.