Poison Information Center

Opening hours and contact information

Puhelin (maksuton)

Puhelin (normaalihintainen)

We are on call 24 hours a day.

We provide information to the authorities and to the media on weekdays from 08:30 to 15:00.

At the Poison Information Center, we respond by phone to questions concerning the prevention and treatment of acute cases of poisoning in humans. We are a nationwide service operating on a 24/7 basis, serving both ordinary citizens and health care professionals.

First aid instructions

Rinse out your mouth and remove the substance (plant fragments, crumbs of medication, etc.). DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING!
Do not attempt to dilute the poison by drinking something unless you are specifically told to do so.
Immediately look up the toxicity and required action in the list of substances, or contact the Poison Information Center.
Administer medicinal charcoal as required if instructed to do so.
Note: If a patient has ingested a petroleum product or a corrosive substance, you must not under any circumstances make the patient vomit or administer medicinal charcoal, because those will only make the situation worse.

Get the patient out into the fresh air.
Be careful not to inhale the toxic substance yourself!
Place the patient in a resting, preferably reclining position.
Immediately look up the toxicity and required action in the list of substances, or contact the Poison Information Center.
If initial mild symptoms do not subside at rest, or if the patient develops a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms, seek medical attention.

Rinse the eyes out immediately with much water for about 15 minutes (for at least 30 minutes in the case of a corrosive substance).
If the eyes are not rinsed out until the patient gets to a doctor, the eyes will probably already have been damaged.
If during the next few hours the patient experiences inflammation symptoms in the eyes, such as severe pain, swelling, sensitivity to light, or watering, seek medical attention.

Substances, plants and mushrooms

You can find information on substances, plants and mushrooms with the search function on the Poison Information Center website.

Select an expert

Unfortunately, we do not have the expertise available to provide general advice on medications or foods, or on the treatment of illnesses or allergies. We also do not treat patients or identify toxins.

In other cases, please select an expert in the list below:

Questions about medications not related to overdoses: pharmacies.
Questions about animals: your own vet or a vet on call.
Allergies, treatment of illnesses, and general health care advice: your local health care helpline, your local health center, or other emergency clinic.
Food poisoning: your local health center or other emergency clinic.
General information on foods: municipal food authorities.
Information on medications and other external factors with a harmful impact on fertility, fetuses, and newborn infants: Teratological information service.

Emergency Help Menu

Opening hours and contact information

Puhelin (maksuton)

Puhelin (normaalihintainen)

First aid instructions

Toxic substance ingested

Toxic substance inhaled

Toxic substance on the skin.

Toxic substance in the eyes

Substances, plants and mushrooms

Select an expert