• Offer sips of water.
• Do not force a person to vomit.
• Brush out particles (solid pieces) from the mouth if possible.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

• Get immediately to fresh air.
• If a person has fainted, has chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

• Rinse for 15 minutes with a continuous flow of water over the eye(s).
• Do not use eye drops or ointment.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

• Rinse well with water.
• Rinse a mild soap if needed.
• Do not attempt to neutralize an acid substance with an alkali.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

Use of Syrup of Ipecac in the Home
The Florida Poison Information Center – Tampa no longer promotes the storage of Syrup of Ipecac in the home, in ambulances or in hospitals. Syrup of Ipecac should never be given unless the poison center is consulted and recommends it.

All homes, day care centers and schools should post the Poison Center hotline number 1-800-222-1222 by the telephone. For first aid instructions after a poisoning, the Poison Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nurses trained in toxicology will quickly provide advice about what to do in your individual situation.

Ipecac syrup is effective in inducing vomiting quickly (within 20-30 minutes), however, making a person vomit is unnecessary in most poisonings. Over the years, it was noted that many people used it without consulting the poison center or their physician. This misuse resulted in:

• Causing vomiting when it was not needed
• Causing more harm than good (for example: worsening burns to the throat or causing vomitus to enter the lungs)
• Delaying the use of more effective treatments such as Activated Charcoal or other antidotes
• Abuse of this product by persons with eating disorders.

For these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatricians and many poison centers do not recommend storing Ipecac in homes or daycares.

Activated Charcoal
This medicine is used to bind to the poison in the stomach. It is primarily used by paramedics and in hospitals. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND it for home use at this time.