Who We Are & How We Help
The Ontario Poison Centre (OPC) has been a trusted resource for poison information and management guidance for the public and healthcare providers across Ontario since 1970. Click here to discover what the OPC does and how we help people across Ontario for poisonings with confidential, 24/7, phone support in any language.
Beyond emergency consultations, the OPC collaborates with healthcare providers, government agencies, injury prevention groups, and public health organizations to enhance poison awareness and prevention.
The centre is dedicated to advancing medical toxicology knowledge through healthcare provider, education, public outreach, and toxicovigilance initiatives — ensuring timely, life-saving information is always accessible.
When Other Services May Be More Appropriate
Some questions are better addressed by another healthcare provider or service. The Ontario Poison Centre does not routinely provide advice about:
- Drug interactions between medications
- When to take your next scheduled medication dose after accidentally taking too much or making a medication error
- Medication side effects or long-term medication management
- Swallowed non-toxic objects, such as coins
- Chronic or long-term environmental exposures, such as ongoing concerns about mold
- Tick bites or concerns about Lyme disease
- Rabies exposures
- Poisoning or medication exposures involving pets
If you are unsure whether your situation is a poisoning or overdose, you can still contact the Ontario Poison Centre and we can help determine whether poison centre advice is appropriate.
For questions outside our scope, please contact your healthcare provider, pharmacist, veterinarian, public health unit, or other appropriate service.