When should I call the Drug & Poison Information Centre? Why should I call the Drug & Poison Information Centre? What information do I have to give when I call? What is done with the information I give? What does a poisoned person look like? What should I do if a child swallows a poison? What are drug interactions? How do food, drink and herbs cause drug interactions? What are side effects? What is an allergy? How much will I be charged to use the hotline? What if I don't want to give my name and phone number? When should I call the Drug & PoisonsInformation Centre? Call us When a person eats or drinks a poison, gets a poison on the skin, in the eyes, or inhales a poison. Remember: all substances are potentially poisonous. Do not hesitate calling if you have a concern. Anytime someone has taken medicine incorrectly. This includes taking the wrong dose, the wrong medicine, taking the medicine with alcohol, or any other misuse of medication. If you have questions or concerns about - First aid for poisonings - Information on medicines such as dosing, side effects, adverse reactions, allergy or interactions with food or other medicine - Adverse effects of herbal and health supplements - Identification of medicine - Insect or animal bites - Food poisonings - Occupational toxic exposures - How to poison proof your home or workplace Why should I call the Drug & Poison Information Centre? Calling us can help save lives. Professional staff at the centre can determine the severity of an exposure and decide whether it can be handled at home or if hospital treatment is required. Many exposures do not require hospital treatment and can be managed in the home with the guidance of the professionals at the centre. What information do I have to give when I call? 1) Your name and contact number 2) The age and approximate weight of the poisoned person 3) The substance(s) involved 4) The approximate amount of the substance consumed. 5) The time when the exposure occurred 6) Any symptoms that the patient might be experiencing 7) Any treatment that you have done before calling 8) How the exposure occurred (eyes, breathing in fumes, splashed on the skin, etc..)  Our professional staff at the DPIC will give you the advice you need. If the poisoning cannot be managed at home, you will be referred to your doctor or the hospital. What is done with the information I give? The information we ask for is to help us to help you. The DPIC staff will be able to determine if a case is mild or serious and the treatment needed, if any, after a careful evaluation of the information. The staff at the DPIC keeps medical records of all calls and this information will be kept confidential. What does a poisoned person look like? A poisoned victim may or may not look, act or feel sick. Do not wait for symptoms to occur. If you suspect a poisoning has occurred, call the DPIC at 6423-9119 immediately. What should I do if a child swallows a poison? Call the DPIC at 6423-9119 immediately. Because every poisoning is different, the treatment advice will differ depending on the type and amount of poison involved, and the age, size, weight and medical history of the victim. Call 995 Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance if the victim becomes unconscious and/or unresponsive, develops fits/convulsions, or stops breathing. What are drug interactions? These are interactions between a drug with other drugs, food, drink or herbs. Drug interactions can lead to unwanted effects such as either a decreased or increased effect of a drug, or adverse reactions. How do food, drinks and herbs cause drug interactions?  Some food, drinks and herbs can bind to drugs in the stomach and prevent the drug from being absorbed into the bloodstream. They may also act in the same way as the drug and cause decreased or increased effects of the drug. For example: Milk can bind to certain medicines such as tetracycline. Therefore, they should not be taken within 2 hours of each other. Ginseng and garlic may affect the effect of the anticoagulant, warfarin; this can lead to an increased risk of blood clotting. Therefore, patients on warfarin should not take ginseng. What are side effects? These are unwanted symptoms or events caused by medication. For example: Nausea and stomach discomfort caused by antibiotics such as penicillin. Drowsiness caused by antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine. Adverse reactions are the harmful effects to a person caused by medication. These reactions may be serious or life threatening, such as an allergic reaction. What is an allergy? An allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to substances such as medications, food, chemicals, pollen, dust, or animal hair. The symptoms of the reaction can range from a mild rash to severe reactions such as wheezing, shortness of breath, swollen eyes, low blood pressure and anaphylactic shock. Call 995 Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance if the victim becomes unconscious and/or unresponsive, has difficulty breathing, or stops breathing. How much will I be charged to use the hotline? There are no charges for using the hotline. What if I don't want to give my name and phone number? Helping callers is the main concern of the DPIC staff. Callers who do not want to give their names and telephone numbers will be advised to contact their doctors for assistance.