Last Updated on April 17, 2023

The Israel Poison Information Center at Rambam Hospital – 24/7.

Hebrew:  המרכז הארצי למידע בהרעלות

The Israel Poison Information Center of the Ministry of Health, is the National Poison Center of Israel and the only service of its kind in the country.  Located at Rambam Health Care Campus  in Haifa, expert advice on poisonings is available to the general public via a telephone hotline which operates 24/7.  Not only will they advise on poison-related issues, but they will also answer questions on different drugs, their effects, and allergic reactions.

Mom and Dad – do not underestimate the ability of young children to reach medicines or chemicals. Keep all poisons, especially things you use daily, such as medicines, drain cleaners, oven or grill cleaners, bleach, and dishwasher machine powder, well out of reach of children.

If your child has swallowed any of these or you are concerned about the effects of various drugs during pregnancy and lactation, the Israel Poison Information Center will be able to answer your questions.

Nurses, with an extensive background in emergency medicine and intensive care, under the supervision of the center’s clinical toxicologists and physicians, consult with the public on all matters relating to drug interactions, poison, and chemicals.ot only will they given advice for poison related issues, they also answer question on different drugs,  their effects and allergic reactions.

The telephone number for the Israel Poison Information Center Hotline

04-7771900 (24/7)

• Need to call the emergency services? Use this guide – a typical emergency conversation with the dispatch clerk in Hebrew with English transliterations
• Israel health care and medical resources

Signs and symptoms of poisonings

• drowsiness
• sudden change in behavior
• unusual odor
• pill fragments on the lips or clothes
• excessive drooling
• vomiting
• a confused mental state
• listlessness

These common household items can be poisonous for children

• cosmetics and personal care products
• cleaning substances and laundry products
• pain medicine and antihistamines
• topical preparations
• vitamins
• pesticides
• plants
• antimicrobials

Adult poisonings

Most adult poisonings are caused by:

• pain medicine, sedatives, hypnotics, anti-psychotics, antidepressants, anti-convulsant and cardiovascular drugs
• cleaning substances (household)
• alcohol
• pesticides
• bites and stings (ticks, spiders, bees, snakes, jellyfish)
• cosmetics and personal care products

Top tips for preventing a tragic accident

Remember that child-resistant packaging does not mean childproof packaging.

• Never tell your children that medicine tastes like candy or sweets
• Keep all medications out of the reach of children
• Read package inserts carefully.  Package inserts in Israel, are now mostly written in Hebrew, English, Russian, Arabic and Amharic

Medical Terminology

Learn Hebrew with our free word-sheet. Hebrew, English & transliterated medical terms.