What is Overdose in Children

Overdose in Children is when a child takes too much of a substance. It can be medicine, illegal drugs, or alcohol. Children may be tempted by colorful pills. Children are small, so even a small amount of a medicine can cause danger.

An overdose can be mild, dangerous, or even deadly. Overdose is an emergency. It has to be treated in the hospital right away.

It is important that you and your child tell your child’s doctor:

• What substances your child took. These include medicine, drugs, and alcohol.
• When your child took the medicine, drugs, or alcohol.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Give—or make sure that your child takes—over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by his or her doctor.
• Always ask your child’s doctor about problems that can happen with any new medicine that your child starts taking (side effects and drug interactions).
• Keep a list of all medicines that your child takes. These include over-the-counter medicines. Bring this list to all of your child’s medical visits.
• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s doctor. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Get help if your child is having a hard time with:
  • Alcohol or drug use.
  • Depression, or another problem with his or her feelings or behaviors.
• Keep the phone number of the poison control center by your phone or on your cell phone.
• Store these where children cannot reach them:
  • All medicines. Keep these in safety containers.
  • All marijuana and tobacco products. Keep these in locked containers.
• Follow directions carefully when you give medicine to your child.
• Do not give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children who are age 6 or younger.
• Make sure your child knows that he or she should not take medicine without help from an adult.
• Do not allow your child:
  • To use illegal drugs.
  • To drink alcohol.
  • To take medicine that is for someone else.
• Do not give medicines to your child that are for someone else (are not prescribed for your child).

Contact a doctor if:

• Your child’s symptoms come back.
• Your child starts to have new symptoms when he or she takes medicine.

Get help right away if:

• You think that a child may have taken too much of a substance. Call the National Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.
• Your child tells you that he or she is thinking about hurting himself or herself, or hurting others.
• Your child:
  • Has changes in behavior that happen suddenly.
  • Is more sleepy than normal.
  • Breathes more slowly than normal.
  • Feels sick to his or her stomach (is nauseous).
  • Throws up (vomits).
  • Shakes or jerks without trying to (seizures).
• Your child has:
  • Changes in the black centers of his or her eyes (pupils).
  • Cold and clammy skin.
  • Very light (pale) skin.
  • Blue lips.
  • Chest pain.
  • Trouble with breathing.
• Your child passes out (loses consciousness).

Overdose is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.