from ABC News

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, in 2002 there were 2.4 million toxic ingestions, and more than half of these occurred in children younger than 6. Children aged 18 to 36 months seemed to be at the highest risk, and in these little bodies, just one pill can be deadly.

Even more worrisome is the fact that, after taking some of these pills, a child can appear perfectly fine until it is too late.

Here's how you can be prepared:

-Recognize the high risk of accidental ingestions and be prepared to act.

-Call 911 immediately, experts say, or call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

-Parents should also be prepared to take their child to the hospital immediately, and they should bring the bottle of whatever the child took in the ambulance and to the ER.

-Note: New guidelines from the American Association of Pediatrics urge against the use of Ipecac or any other mechanism to induce vomiting.

Here are the 7 Pills that pose life threatening risks to youngsters:

1.  HEART PILLS

Category: Calcium channel blockers

Scientific names: Diltiazem, Verapamil, Amlodipine, Nifedipine

Brand names: Cardizem, Cartia, Norvasc

Indications: High blood pressure (hypertension), angina, atrial fibrillation

Symptoms in children: Dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate, seizures

2.  MUSCLE RUBS

Category: Camphor-containing rubs

Scientific name: Camphor

Brand names: Vicks VapoRub, Ben-Gay, Tiger Balm, Save the Baby

Indications: Relieves muscle aches, itching, coughing, and fever blisters

Symptoms in children: Rapid development of seizures, delirium, coma, and death

3.  PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATIONS

Category: Narcotic pain medications

Scientific names: Oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone

Brand names: Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin and others

Indications: Alleviates pain

Symptoms in children: Sleepiness, which proceeds to lethargy. Can eventually stop breathing, which leads to death

4.  ASPIRIN and OIL OF WINTERGREEN

Category: Salicylates

Scientific names: Acetylsalicylic acid, methyl salicylate

Brand names: Bayer, Ecotrin and others

Indications: Alleviates muscle pain, prevents heart attacks, Oil of Wintergreen used for flavoring

Symptoms in children: Nausea, vomiting, agitation, seizures, lethargy, coma and death

5.  DEPRESSION DRUGS

Category: Antidepressants

Scientific names: Amitriptyline, imipramine, buproprion

Brand names: Elavil, Tofranil, Wellbutrin, Zyban

Indications: Treats depression, chronic pain and migraines, smoking cessation

Symptoms in children: Seizures, unresponsiveness and heart arrhythmias

6.  TOPICAL BLOOD PRESSURE PATCHES, EYE DROPS and NASAL SPRAYS

Category: Topical Eye Drops, Nasal Sprays, and Blood Pressure Patches

Scientific names: Clonidine, oxymetazoline

Brand name: Afrin, Clear Eyes, Clonidine patch

Uses: Eye redness/itchiness, nasal congestion, glaucoma

Symptoms in children: Lethargy, low blood pressure, coma

7.  DIABETES DRUGS

Category: Diabetes Medications

Scientific Name: Sulfonylureas

Brand name: Glyburide, Glipizide

Uses: Diabetes management (non-insulin dependent, or Type 2)

Symptoms in children: Dangerously low blood sugar, coma, seizures



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