The Most Common Poisons for Children and Adults

The most common poisons among children are:

• cosmetics and personal care products
• cleaning substances
• pain medicine/fever-reducers
• coins, thermometers
• plants
• diaper care, acne preparations, antiseptics
• cough and cold preparations
• pesticides
• vitamins
• gastrointestinal preparations
• antimicrobials
• arts, crafts and office supplies
• antihistamines
• hormones and hormone antagonists (diabetes medications, contraceptives)
• hydrocarbons (lamp oil, kerosene, gasoline, lighter fluid)

The most common poisons among adults are:

• pain medicine
• sedatives, hypnotics, antipsychotics
• cleaning substances
• antidepressants
• bites and envenomations
• alcohols
• food products and food poisoning
• cosmetics and personal care products
• chemicals
• pesticides
• cardiovascular drugs
• fumes, gases, vapors
• hydrocarbons
• antihistamines
• anticonvulsants
• antimicrobials
• stimulants and street drugs
• plants
• cough and cold preparations