Drug Overdose Symptoms and Management

Overdoses of drugs or chemicals can be either accidental or intentional. Drug overdoses occur when a person takes more than the medically recommended dose. However, some people may be more sensitive to certain medications so that the high end of the therapeutic range of a drug may be toxic for them

Overdose symptoms varies depending on the drug or toxin exposure. The symptoms can often be divided into differing toxidromes. This can help one determine what class of drug or toxin is causing the difficulties.

Here's some specific Overdose Signs and Overdose Management divided by the type of the drugs / toxin exposure :

1. Acetaminophen ( Tylenol, Datril )
Nausea, vomiting, sweating, kidney failure, breathing difficulties, delirium, unconsciousness
Management :
Acetaminophen OD response


2. Alcohol ( Beer, Wine, Liquor )
Mood swings, impaired motor skills, slurred speech, rapid pulse, vomiting, coma, respiratory failure
Management :
Depressant OD response


3. Amphetamines ( Desoxyn, Preludin, methamphetamine, "crystal," "ice" )
Excitement, dilated pupils, agitation, tremors, fever, rapid/irregular pulse, delirium, hallucinations, convulsions, coma
Management :
StimulantOD response
Psychological crisis response


4. Antidepressants
a. Tricyclics ( Elavil, Triavil, Sinequan, Tofranil )
Dilated pupils, agitation, confusion, hypertension, hallucinations, convulsions, unconsciousness
Management :
Anticholinergic OD response

b. MAO Inhibitors ( Parnate, Nardil )
Headache, vomiting, rapid/irregular pulse, agitation, seizures
Management :
Anticholinergic OD response

c.Others ( Prozac )
Nausea, vomiting, agitation, seizures
Management :
Anticholinergic OD response


5.Antihistamines ( Atarax, Benadryl, PBZ, Vistaril )
Anxiety or depression, dilated pupils, irregular pulse, fever, delusions, convulsions, coma
Management :
Depressant OD response


6. Aspirin ( Anacin, Bufferin )
Abdominal pain, vomiting, ringing in the ears, deep/rapid breathing, fever, sweating, delirium, convulsions, coma
Management :
Aspirin OD response


7. Atropine ( Donnatal, scopolamine, hyoscyamine, jimson weed )
Blurred vision, dry mouth, vomiting, rapid pulse, headache, hot/dry skin, difficulty swallowing, excitement, confusion, delirium, convulsions, unconsciousness
Management :
Anticholinergic OD response


8. Barbiturates ( Butisol, Mebaral, Nembutal )
Slight pupil constriction (pupils may dilate in extreme OD), slurred speech, slowed reflexes, respiratory depression, coma
Management :
Depressant OD response


9. Benzodiazepines ( Ativan , Librium, Valium, Xanax )
Drowsiness, confusion, slowed reflexes, impaired coordination, dizziness, coma
Management :
Depressant OD response


10. Caffeine ( No-Doz, Vivarin, OTC stimulants and Diet Aids )
Nervousness, excitement, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting,fever, tremors, delirium, convulsions, coma
Management :
Stimulant OD response


11. Cocaine( Crack, rock, freebase )
CNS arousal (followed by depression in severe OD), confusion, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, hallucinations, rapid/irregular/shallow breathing, coma, cardiac arrest
Management :
Stimulant OD response


12. Hallucinogens
a. Organic ( Psilocybin, peyote )
Psychological effects predominate; hallucinations, delusions, anxiety
Management :
Psychology crisis response

b. Synthetic ( LSD )
Psychological effects predominate; hallucinations, delusions, anxiety
Management :
Psychology crisis response

c. Amphetamine-based ( MDA, MDMA )
Psychological effects predominate; hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, and amphetamine OD symptoms
Management :
Stimulant OD response
Psychology crisis response


13. Inhalants
a. Aerosols ( Freon, isobutane )
Numbness, hallucinations, delusions, rapid/irregular pulse, respiratory depression, heart failure
Management :
Inhalant OD response

b. Solvents ( Gasoline, plastic cement, industrial solvents )
Slurred speech, dilated pupils, hallucinations, delusions, rapid/irregular pulse, headache, vomiting, coma, heart failure
Management :
Inhalant OD response


14. Marijuana ( Marijuana, Hashish )
Disorientation, rapid pulse, panic
Management :
Psychology crisis response


15. Narcotics ( Codeine, heroin, morphine, Demerol, Dilaudid, Percodan )
Drowsiness, shallow breathing, muscular flaccidity, pinpoint pupils, slow pulse, cold/clammy skin, unconsciousness, respiratory failure
Management :
Depressant OD response


16. Phenothiazines ( Compazine, Stelazine, Thorazine )
Drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, impaired motor skills, muscular rigidity, tremors, facial grimacing, low temperature, irregular pulse
Management :
Depressant OD response


17. PCP/Ketamine ( Angel dust , sherms , K , Special K )
Blank stare, rapid pulse, vomiting, muscular rigidity, anesthesia, convulsions, stroke, respiratory failure
Management :
PCP OD response