When to Call Poison Control vs. Emergency Services for Overdose

Every year, over two million people in the U.S. call Poison Control for accidental or intentional exposures. Many of those calls involve drugs - prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit. But here’s the thing: calling Poison Control isn’t always the right first step. Sometimes, you need 911 right away. Waiting could cost a life.

Let’s cut through the confusion. If someone has overdosed, you don’t have time to Google symptoms or second-guess yourself. You need clear, fast rules. This isn’t about being cautious - it’s about knowing when speed saves lives and when expert advice can prevent a hospital trip.

Call 911 Immediately If the Person Is Unresponsive or Struggling to Breathe

If someone is passed out, not waking up when you shake them, or has shallow, slow, or noisy breathing - call 911. Now. Don’t wait. Don’t text a friend. Don’t call Poison Control first.

These are signs of respiratory failure, the leading cause of death in overdoses. The CDC reports that in 28.3% of fatal poisoning cases, breathing stopped before help arrived. For opioid overdoses, this can happen in under 10 minutes. Even if they seem to wake up after you give them naloxone, call 911 anyway. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids can come back stronger after naloxone wears off. That’s not a myth - it’s documented in emergency rooms across the country.

Same goes for seizures. If someone is having a convulsion that lasts more than five minutes, or if their body stiffens and jerks uncontrollably, get emergency help. Seizures mean the brain is under extreme stress. Poison Control can’t send a paramedic. Only 911 can.

Call Poison Control If the Person Is Awake, Breathing Normally, and You Know What Was Taken

Not every overdose is an emergency - but you still need help. If someone took too much Tylenol, accidentally swallowed a whole bottle of children’s vitamins, or doubled up on their blood pressure pill - and they’re sitting up, talking, breathing fine - call Poison Control.

Poison Control isn’t just for kids. Adults call them every day. In 2022, pharmaceuticals made up nearly half of all exposures reported. Most of those were accidental. A 68-year-old mixing painkillers with sleep aids. A teenager taking two ibuprofen tablets thinking it’d help a headache. These cases rarely need an ambulance - but they need expert advice.

Poison Control specialists can tell you:

• Is this dose dangerous for their weight and age?
• Will they get sick in the next few hours?
• Should you watch them at home or go to the ER?
• What to do if they start vomiting or feel dizzy?

They’ve seen it all. One call can prevent a trip to the ER - and save you hundreds, even thousands, in medical bills. Studies show that using Poison Control cuts unnecessary ambulance rides by nearly 40%.

What Information to Have Ready - Before You Dial

Whether you call 911 or Poison Control, time matters. The faster you give details, the faster help comes.

For Poison Control (1-800-222-1222), have these ready:

• The exact name of the substance - not “that blue pill” but “ibuprofen 200 mg extended-release”
• How much was taken - 2 tablets? 10 mL? 150 mg? Exact numbers matter
• When it happened - “15 minutes ago” or “around 3:15 p.m.”
• The person’s age and weight - weight in kilograms is best, but pounds work
• Any symptoms so far - nausea? Drowsiness? Blurry vision?
• What you’ve already done - did you give them water? Did you try to make them vomit?

Grab the container. Look at the label. Even if it’s empty, the bottle tells them the strength, form (immediate vs. extended-release), and other ingredients. That changes everything. A 500 mg acetaminophen tablet is one thing. A 650 mg extended-release version? That’s a whole different risk.

For 911, you still need this info - but you don’t have to wait to find it. Say what you know. “My dad took a bunch of his heart pills. He’s not waking up.” They’ll send help and ask follow-ups on the way.

Special Cases: Kids, Older Adults, and Opioids

Children under 6 and adults over 75 are more vulnerable. Their bodies process drugs differently. A single pill that’s harmless to a 30-year-old could be deadly to a toddler or a senior.

For kids: If a child under 6 swallowed one pill - and they’re acting normal - call Poison Control. But if it’s clonidine, sulfonylureas, or any antidepressant, call 911. These can cause sudden low blood sugar or slowed breathing even if they seem fine.

For older adults: Most take five or more medications. Mixing them can cause dangerous interactions you can’t predict. If a 78-year-old takes an extra dose of anything - blood pressure, diabetes, or pain meds - call 911. Don’t wait for symptoms. Their risk of complications is 37% higher than younger adults.

For opioids: If you have naloxone, use it. But then call 911. Naloxone only lasts 30 to 90 minutes. Many opioids - especially fentanyl - last longer. The person can stop breathing again after naloxone wears off. That’s not rare. In 2022, over 12,000 overdoses were reversed with naloxone - and nearly all required follow-up EMS care.

What Not to Do

Don’t wait to see if they “get better.” Many drugs cause delayed toxicity. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can look harmless for hours - then suddenly wreck the liver. Calcium channel blockers can cause heart failure 12 hours after ingestion.

Don’t try to make someone throw up. That’s outdated advice. It can cause choking or lung damage. Poison Control will tell you if vomiting is safe - but only after assessing the substance.

Don’t rely on apps or websites. The Poison Help app gives general advice, but it can’t talk to a specialist. WebPOISONCONTROL is great for low-risk cases - but it won’t help if the person is unconscious, having seizures, or took multiple drugs.

Don’t assume Poison Control will send help. They give advice. They don’t dispatch ambulances. Only 911 does that.

What Happens After You Call?

If you call Poison Control, you’ll speak to a nurse, pharmacist, or toxicologist - all trained in poison management. The average wait time is under 30 seconds. They’ll ask questions, give instructions, and may ask you to monitor the person for the next few hours. Some cases require follow-up calls.

If you call 911, paramedics will arrive quickly. They’ll check vitals, give oxygen, administer naloxone if needed, and transport to the nearest ER. Emergency rooms have poison specialists on call too - but they’re not there to prevent a crisis. They’re there to treat one.

Either way, you’ve done the right thing. You didn’t panic. You acted with information.

Why This System Exists - And Why It Works

Poison Control wasn’t created to replace hospitals. It was created to prevent them - when it’s safe to do so. In 2022, they handled 2.1 million cases. Only about 15% required ER visits. That means 1.8 million people avoided unnecessary trips, saving the system over $1.8 billion.

But the system only works if people use it correctly. Too many people delay calling 911 because they think “it’s not that bad.” Too many call Poison Control for someone who’s blue and unresponsive - wasting precious minutes.

The rule is simple: If they’re not okay - call 911. If they’re okay but you’re unsure - call Poison Control.

There’s no shame in calling. No one will judge you. And if you’re wrong? Better safe than sorry. A call takes 30 seconds. A life? That’s forever.