Emergency departments are often busy, and if you can't see your GP, what should you do if you or your child consumes something you perhaps shouldn't have?

Did you know there is a poisons hotline, open 24 hours a day?

Call 13 11 26 from anywhere in Australia to seek advice on what to do if you've taken the wrong medication or you think you've ingested something poisonous.

Carol Wylie, manager of the Queensland Poisons Information Centre, said people should never hesitate to call.

Clinical pharmacists at the Queensland centre can sometimes take more than 100 calls a day.

What you might be asked: age and weight of patient

age and weight of patient symptoms

symptoms health history

health history exact name of product and size of container

exact name of product and size of container strength of the product and amount taken if known

strength of the product and amount taken if known name, phone number and location Source: poison.org

"Any uncertainty causes people stress and we always conduct a risk assessment on any call no matter what it is," Ms Wylie told ABC Radio Brisbane's Loretta Ryan.

"Fortunately with most of the calls, we simply reassure people and give first-aid advice to carry out.

"We take many calls from people inadvertently taking a double dose of a medicine on top of something they've already taken.

"We also give people symptoms to watch for so they're aware if things get more serious.

Poison specialists help guide people through first aid if needed. ( ABC News: Margaret Burin )

"Sadly, we also take calls about deliberate exposure as well and they are always refereed to a medical facility.

"On average we refer around one in 10 callers to medical services."

Poisons under the sink are often a worry for parents with young children. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

Elderly at risk of double doses

Ms Wylie said calls did not only come from parents with young children.

"The elderly population is at a higher risk with errors with their medicines," she said.

"When they double dose on a particular medicine they're at a higher risk.

"Their memory may also not be as good and they can be more susceptible to double doses compared to a healthy person.

"It's so important to check every drug and dose you're taking; it's easy when you're busy to make an error.

"If you're at all uncertain ring the hotline."

Should you try and vomit?

Ms Wylie said people were not encouraged to vomit if they believed they had taken the wrong medication.

"We haven't advised that in a long time; many people have it as a reactive thought though," she said.

"It's ineffective to do that and it's quite traumatic, especially when it's with a young child; it's distressing for the child and parent."

The poisons hotline is open 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia on 13 11 26.

If the person is showing signs of being seriously ill such as vomiting, drowsiness or seizures, call triple-0 for an ambulance.