Drug Overdose
A drug overdose can occur when an individual’s takes to much of a drug or substance, the body is overwhelmed and stops functioning correctly. Drug overdoses can occur intentionally, such as in an attempt to commit suicide or sometimes and more commonly on accident, when too much of the drug is consumed at one time. Drug overdoses can also happen when there is a combination of drugs that interract with each other and are harmful to the user.
Below is a list that is grouped by type/family of drugs which have a higher incidence of accidental drug overdose.
- Barbiturate family drugs: Amobarbital, Pentobarbital, Secobarbital.
- Benzodiazepine overdose: Nimetazepam, Nitrazepam, Temazepam, Triazolam
- Opioid family drugs: Codeine, Fentanyl, Heroin, Hydromorphone, Methadone, Propoxyphene, Morphine
- Sedative-hypnotic type of drugs: Ethyl Alcohol, Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl), GHB, Glutethimide (Doriden), Ketamine, Methaqualone
- Stimulant family drugs: Amphetamine, Cocaine, Methamphetamine
Because each drug has different effects on the body, they also have a different set of symptoms that are commonly associated with drug overdose. Some of the most common signs of overdose is a change in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diahrrea, chest pain, problems breathing, cold clammy skin, dilated (big) or constricted pupils (small). If you or someone you know have ingested too much of a drug and are experiencing any of the signs of overdose, you should seek medical attention immediately.
With immediate medical attention, a person who is experiencing overdose symptoms can be treated with different drugs to counteract the effects of the drug overdose and can prevent death. Without immediate medical treatment a person could die, or they can experience some lasting effects from the drug overdose. Some of the lasting effects from drug overdose can include heart damage, respiratory damage, and brain damage.
