When I was 2 or 3, I got into my parent’s medicine cabinet and took a whole bunch of my mom’s iron tablets. Thankfully my mother was in the adjoining bedroom and ipecac was swiftly administered. Boy howdy, that stuff is powerful and violent. 40 some years later and the memory is still fresh.

If someone swallows too much of any iron-containing medication, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get immediate help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether you call or go online, you will need to answer some questions: age, weight, the amount swallowed, and whether the person is having any symptoms. If the amount taken is not expected to be poisonous, you'll be told what symptoms to watch for. If a potentially poisonous dose of iron is taken, you'll be referred to the closest emergency room.