What is an Accidental Overdose
Accidental overdose happens when a person accidentally takes too much of a substance, such as a prescription medicine, an illegal drug, or an over-the-counter medicine. The effects of an overdose can be mild, dangerous, or even deadly.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by taking too much of a medicine or other substance. It often results from:
- Lack of knowledge about a substance.
- Using more than one substance at the same time.
- An error made by the health care provider who prescribed the substance.
- An error made by the pharmacist who fills the prescription order.
- A lapse in memory, such as forgetting that you have already taken a dose of medicine.
- Suddenly using a substance after a long period of not using it.
Substances that can cause an accidental overdose include:
- Alcohol.
- Medicines that treat mental problems (psychotropic medicines).
- Pain medicines.
- Cocaine.
- Heroin.
- Multivitamins that contain iron.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to occur in:
- Children. Children are at increased risk for an overdose even if they are given only a small amount of a substance because of their small size. Children may also be attracted to colorful pills.
- Elderly adults. Elderly adults are more likely to overdose because they may be taking many different medicines. They may also have difficulty reading labels or remembering when they last took their medicine.
- People who use illegal drugs.
- People who drink alcohol while using drugs or certain medicines.
- People with certain mental health conditions.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition depend on the substance and the amount that was taken. Common symptoms include:
- Behavior changes, such as confusion.
- Sleepiness.
- Weakness.
- Slowed breathing.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Very large or small eye pupil size.
An overdose can cause a very serious condition in which your blood pressure drops to a low level (shock). Symptoms of shock include:
- Cold and clammy skin.
- Pale skin.
- Blue lips.
- Very slow breathing.
- Extreme sleepiness.
- Severe confusion.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. You will be asked to tell your health care provider which substances you took and when you took them. During the physical exam your health care provider may check and monitor your heart rate and rhythm, your temperature, and your blood pressure (vital signs). He or she may also check your breathing and oxygen levels. Sometimes tests are also done to diagnose the condition. Tests may include:
- Urine tests. These are done to check for substances in your system.
- Blood
tests. These may be done to check for:
- Substances in your system.
- Signs of an imbalance in your blood minerals (electrolytes).
- Liver damage.
- Kidney damage.
- An abnormal acid level in your blood.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG). This tests is done to monitor electrical activity in your heart.
How is this treated?
This condition may need to be treated right away at the hospital. The first step in treatment is supporting your vital signs and your breathing. After that treatment may involve:
- Getting fluids and electrolytes through an IV tube.
- Having a breathing tube inserted in your airway to help you breathe. The breathing tube is called a endotracheal tube.
- Getting
medicines. These may include:
- Medicines that absorb any substance that is in your digestive system.
- Medicines that block or reverse the effect of the substance that caused the overdose.
- Having your blood filtered through an artificial kidney machine (hemodialysis).
- Ongoing counseling and mental health support. This may be provided if you used an illegal drug.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Before taking a new medicine, ask your health care provider whether the medicine may cause side effects and whether the medicine might react with other medicines.
- Keep a list of all of the medicines that you take, including over-the-counter medicines. Bring this list with you to all of your medical visits.
General instructions
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- If you are working with a counselor or mental health professional, make sure to follow his or her instructions.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
- Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
How is this prevented?
- Get
help if you are struggling with:
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Depression or another mental health problem.
- Keep the phone number of your local poison control center near your phone or on your cell phone. The hotline of the National Poison Control Center is (800) 222-1222.
- Store all medicines in safety containers that are out of the reach of children.
- Read the drug inserts that come with your medicines.
- Create a system for taking your medicine, such as with a pill box, that will help you avoid taking too much.
- Do notdrink alcohol while taking medicines unless your health care provider approves.
- Do notuse illegal drugs.
- Do nottake medicines that are not prescribed for you.
- If you are breastfeeding, talk to your health care provider before taking medicines or other substances. Certain drugs and medicines can be passed through breast milk to your baby.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your symptoms return.
- You develop new symptoms or side effects after taking a medicine.
- You have questions about a possible overdose. Call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Get help right away if:
- You think that you or someone else may have taken too much of a substance.
- You or someone else is having symptoms of an overdose.
- You have serious thoughts about hurting yourself or others.
- You become confused.
- You have chest pain.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You lose consciousness.
- You have a seizure.
- You have trouble staying awake.
These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Summary
- An accidental overdose happens when a person accidentally takes too much of a medicine or other substance, such as a prescription medicine, an illegal drug, or an over-the-counter medicine.
- The effects of an overdose can be mild, dangerous, or even deadly.
- This condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. You will be asked to tell your health care provider which substances you took and when you took them.
- This condition may need to be treated right away at the hospital.
