There are two types of food poisoning. The first type comes from ingesting contaminated food. The second type, known as botulism, results from ingesting improperly canned food.

The first type of food poisoning produces stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea within six hours of ingestion. This type of food poisoning generally lasts 12 hours after the onset of symptoms.

With botulism, headache, muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting occur 12 to 36 hours after ingestion. This potentially fatal condition requires immediate medical attention.

OTC treatments for food poisoning include emetics , which remove potentially toxic agents from the stomach by inducing vomiting. However, induction of vomiting is not desirable in all poisoning cases. If someone has consumed a caustic substance such as acid, vomiting is not desirable because it would re-expose the esophagus to the caustic substance and do further damage.

Syrup of ipecac is a generic OTC product that induces vomiting. It should be kept in all households with children under five years of age. When administered according to manufacturer's directions, its side effects are relatively mild.

Activated charcoal charcoal acts differently than ipecac. It binds toxic substances that have already reached the stomach and intestine. It can be beneficial even if it is given several hours after the poison was ingested. Activated charcoal is difficult to administer to children. It must be mixed into a slurry with water. The slurry tastes awful.

When poisoning is suspected, contact a poison control center before administering either ipecac syrup or activated charcoal. Parents with small children should keep the phone number of a poison control center handy at all times.