Drug Overdoses

When someone overdoses, Speed is the most important factor, even more so than the substance that was overdosed on. This is because the longer someone goes without treatment, the more the drug is absorbed, and the more damage is done. People can die from drug overdoses.

Symptoms:

When someone has OD’d they may be…

Unconscious
Seizing
Confused
Fainting, dizzy, uncoordinated, or drowsy
Slow or rapid pulse
Vomiting
Acting strangely, drunk, psychotic, overly friendly etc
Have difficulty breathing
Slurred speech
High or low temperature
Enlarged or extra small pupils
Reddish face and heavy sweating
Delusions or hallucinations

Treatment:

Contact the poison control center and 911 immediately
If the victim is unconscious check vital signs. If you need to, begin CPR.
If the person is unconscious check the airways and clear them out (remove any pills, vomit, etc)
Once the unconscious person is ‘stable’ place them in the recovery position (lying on their side) and wait for help to arrive while keeping a close eye on them.
If you find pills, syringes, medications, bottles & containers (from medications or drugs) or drugs around the person save them and give them to the medics when they arrive. If available save a sample of the vomit as well.
If the person is conscious ask them what happened and most importantly keep them as awake and alert as possible.
DO NOT try to induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a medical professional. The poison control center will tell you what to give and how much to give based on the persons age/weight and other stats.
DO NOT give the person anything to eat or drink unless instructed
DO NOT leave the person alone
Try to figure out the time when the drug was taken and what quantity was taken.

Drugs and Symptoms Chart:

Below is a list of substances and the symptoms that overdosing on them will bring about.

Name	Examples	Signs and symptoms of overdosage
Acetaminophen	Tylenol^®; Parafon forte^®.	Nausea; vomiting; pallor; sweating; kidney failure; jaundice; difficulty breathing; delirium; and unconsciousness.
Alcohol	Beers; wines; spirits.	Changes of mood; lack of coordination; slurred speech; sweating; rapid pulse; vomiting; drowsiness; and unconsciousness.
Amphetamines	Benzedrine^®; Dexedrine^®; Methedrine^®.	Excitement; dilated pupils; talkativeness; insomnia; tremors; exaggerated reflexes; bad breath; vomiting; diarrhea; fever; irregular, rapid heart rate; hallucinations; delirium; convulsions; and unconsciousness.
Anticoagulants	Dicumarol^®; Coumadin^®; Panwarfarin^®:	Nosebleeds; pallor; bleeding gums; bruising; blood in the urine and feces; shock; and coma.
Antidepressants	(1) tricyclic compoundsóTofranil^®; Elavil^®. (2) MAO inhibitorsóNardil^®; Parnate^®.	(1) Dry mouth; dilated pupils; vomiting; irregular heart rate; retention of urine; hallucinations; lack of coordination; exaggerated reflexes; agitation; convulsions; unconsciousness; and hypertension. (2) Agitation; hallucinations; exaggerated reflexes; irregular heart rate; sweating; retention of urine; convulsions; and muscular rigidity.
Antihistamines	Tripelennamine; diphenhydramine; chlorpheniramine, promethazine.	Excitement or depression; drowsiness; headache; irregular heart rate; nervousness; disorientation; lack of coordination; high fever; hallucinations; fixed, dilated pupils; delirium; convulsions; and coma.
Atropine	Hyoscyamine; scopolamine; stramamine.	Dry mouth; hot, dry skin; flushing; high fever; dilated pupils; irregular heart rate; excitement; confusion; convulsions; delirium; and unconsciousness.
Barbiturates	Amytal^®; Nembutal^®; Seconal^®; phenobarbital.	Drowsiness; headache; confusion; lack of coordination; slurred speech; lack of reflexes; slow breathing rate; and coma.
Benzodiazepines	Librium^®; Valium^®; Mogadon^®; Xanax^®.	Drowsiness; dizziness; lack of coordination; and, in rare cases, coma.
Caffeine	Coffee; tea; No-Doz^®; APC.	Restlessness; excitement; frequent urination; rapid pulse; nausea; vomiting; fever; tremors; delirium; convulsions; and coma.
Cannabis	Hashish; marijuana.	Overdose usually causes only sleepiness.
Chloral hydrate	Noctec^®; Somnos^®.	An overdose of chloral hydrate produces symptoms similar to a barbiturate overdose, but chloral hydrate may also cause vomiting.
Cocaine	Cocaine; crack.	Stimulation followed by depression; nausea; vomiting; anxiety; hallucinations; sweating; difficulty breathing; convulsions; cardiovascular collapse; severe hypertension.
Contraceptive pill		Overdose may cause nausea and vomiting. It does not usually require emergency medical aid, but it is advisable to consult a physician.
Digitalis	Lanoxin^®; Crystodigin^®; Purodigin^®.	Vomiting; excessive salivation; diarrhea; drowsiness; confusion; irregular heart rate; delirium; hallucinations; and unconsciousness.
Diuretics	Hygroton^®; Lasix^®; Dyazide^®.	Massive urine output and irregular heart rate. Rarely there may also be skin rashes and abnormal sensitivity to light.
Glutethimide	Doriden^®.	Drowsiness; lack of reflexes; pupil dilation; slow breathing rate; and coma.
Hallucinogens	LSD; psilocybin; mescaline; phencyclidine (PCP).	The symptoms of an overdose are not always readily distinguishable from the normal effects of these drugs, which vary betweeen individuals. The effects include hallucinations; nausea; confusion; and lack of coordination. In some cases, especially with PCP, there may be paranoia; delusions; extreme anxiety; aggressive and violent behavior; depression; seizures; coma; cerebral hemmorrhage; and even death.
Ipecacuanha	Ipecac syrup.	Nausea; vomiting, sometimes bloodstained; diarrhea; abdominal cramps; irregular heart rate; and cardiac arrest.
Iron	Iron supplement tablets and syrup.	Nausea; vomiting, sometimes bloodstained; abdominal pain; pallor; headache; confusion; convulsions; and unconsciousness.
Narcotics	Opium; heroin; morphine; Methadone^®; codeine.	Pinpoint pupils; drowsiness; shallow breathing; muscular relaxation; coma; slow pulse and respiratory arrest.
Phenothiazines	Chlorpromazine; prochlorperazine; trifluoperazine.	Sleepiness; dry mouth; lack of coordination; muscular rigidity; tremors; uncontrollable facial grimacing; low body temperature; irregular heart rate; convulsions; and coma.
Quinine	Antimalarial drugs.	Vomiting; deafness; blurred vision; dilated pupils; headache; dizziness; rapid breathing; irregular heart rate; and unconsciousness.
Rauwolfia alkaloids	Reserpine.	Flushing; dry mouth; abdominal cramps; diarrhea; irregular heart rate; tremors; muscular rigidity; and unconsciousness.
Salicylates	Aspirin and many aspirin-containing painkillers.	Abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; restlessness; noises in the ears; deafness; deep, rapid breathing; fever; sweating; irritability; confusion; delirium; convulsions; and coma.