First Aid for Drug

Overdose
American Institute of Preventive Medicine
Drug overdoses can be accidental or on purpose. The amount of a certain drug needed to cause an overdose
varies with the type of drug and the person taking it. Overdoses from prescription or over-the-counter (OTC)
medicines, "street" drugs, and/or alcohol can be life-threatening. Know, too, that mixing certain medications or
"street" drugs with alcohol can also kill.
Physical symptoms of a drug overdose vary with the type of drug(s) taken. They include:

Abnormal breathing
Slurred speech
Lack of coordination
Slow or rapid pulse
Low or elevated body temperature
Enlarged or small eye pupils
Reddish face
Heavy sweating
Drowsiness
Delusions and/or hallucinations
Unconsciousness which may lead to coma

Parents need to watch for signs of illegal drug and alcohol use in their children. Morning hangovers, the odor of
alcohol, and red streaks in the whites of the eyes are obvious signs of alcohol use. Items such as pipes, rolling
papers, eye droppers and butane lighters may be the first telling clues that someone is abusing drugs. Another clue
is behavior changes such as:

Lack of appetite
Insomnia
Hostility
Mental confusion
Depression
Mood swings
Secretive behavior
Social isolation
Deep sleep
Hallucinations

Prevention
Accidental prescription and over-the-counter medication overdoses may be prevented by asking your doctor or
pharmacist:

What is the medication and why is it being prescribed?

How and when should the medication be taken and for how long? (Follow the instructions exactly as given.)
Can the medication be taken with other medicines or alcohol or should it not be?
Are there are any foods to avoid while taking this medication?
What are the possible side effects?
What are the symptoms of an overdose and what should be done if it occurs?
Should any activities be avoided such as sitting in the sun, operating heavy machinery, driving?
Should the medicine still be taken if there is a pre-existing medical condition?

Medication overdoses can be avoided:

Never take a medicine prescribed for someone else.

Never give or take medication in the dark. Before each dose, always read the label on the bottle to be
certain it is the correct medication.
Always tell the doctor of any previous side effects or adverse reactions to medication as well as new and
unusual symptoms that occur after taking the medicine.
Always store medications in bottles with child-proof lids and place those bottles on high shelves, out of a
child's reach, or in locked cabinets.
Take the prescribed dose, not more.
Keep medications in their original containers.

Illicit drug use among children should be discouraged:

Set a good example for your children by not using drugs yourself.
Teach your child to say "NO" to drugs and alcohol. Explain the dangers of drug use, including the risk of
AIDS.
Get to know your children's friends and their parents.
Know where your children are and who they are with.
Listen to your children and help them to express their feelings and fears.
Encourage your children to engage in healthy activities such as sports, scouting, community- based youth
programs and volunteer work.
Learn to recognize the signs of drug and alcohol abuse.

Questions to Ask

Is the person not breathing and has no pulse?

Perform CPR and Get Emergency Care.

Is the person not breathing, but has a pulse?

Perform Rescue Breathing and Get Emergency Care. (See

"Airway and Breathing" under CPR.)

Is the person unconscious?

Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care.
Lie the victim down on his or her left side and check airway,
breathing and pulse often before emergency care. Do CPR or
Rescue Breathing (see "Airway and Breathing") as needed.
Does the person have any of these signs?
Hallucinating
Confusion
Convulsions

Breathing slow and shallow and/or slurring

their words

Do you suspect the person has taken an overdose

of drugs?

Get Emergency Care and call Poison Control Center.

Tell the Poison Control Center:

The name of the medication or drug, if known.

The amount of the drug taken, if known. For example,
the number of pills or amount of liquid you suspect was
swallowed.
When the medication or drug was taken.
The person's age, gender and weight.
How the person is feeling and reacting.
Any medical problems the person has.

Follow the Poison Control Center's instructions:

If poison control tells you to induce vomiting:

o Approach the victim calmly and carefully.
o Give the person syrup of ipecac as instructed.
General guidelines are:

o
o
o
o
o
o

One tablespoon to children 1 to 6 years and two

tablespoons to those older than 6 years followed
by a large glass of water or milk.
Walk the person around to help the ipecac work
faster and to keep him or her awake.
Give syrup of ipecac again in 20 minutes if the
person has not yet vomited.
Touch the back of the person's throat with a
finger or spoon, if syrup of ipecac is not
available.
After vomiting begins, continue giving clear
fluids until the vomited material is clear.
When the vomiting has stopped, give nothing by
mouth for 2 hours to give the stomach a chance
to rest.

Note: If after taking two doses of syrup of ipecac the

person has not vomited, seek emergency care.

Is the person's personality suddenly hostile, violent

and aggressive?

NOTE: Use caution. Protect yourself. Do not turn your back to

the victim or move suddenly in front of him or her. If you can, see
that the victim does not harm you, himself or herself. Remember,
the victim is under the influence of a drug. Call the police to
assist you if you cannot handle the situation. Leave and find a
safe place to stay until the police arrive.
Have you or someone else accidentally taken
more than the prescribed dose of a prescription or
over-the-counter medicine?
Call Doctor. If doctor is not available, call Poison Control Center.
Follow instructions given.

DRUG
OVERDOSE

Drugs are usually medicinal substances that come in a

variety of forms: pills, capsules, powders, liquids, aerosols
and pastes. They are chemical concoctions or refined
natural products that are used for specific purposes ranging
from relieving headaches to stopping the heart. Most are
supplied under control, either by doctors prescriptions, or
by government-controlled sale. Some however, are illegal
and pose a danger to users.
Drugs are generally classified as either:
Prescription drugs require a doctors authority to
purchase them. They are drugs to which the relevant
government authority has given a Schedule Number,

indicating the toxicity or cautionary usage of the substance.

Most prescription drugs are at least Schedule 4, and range
up to Schedule 8 which are dangerous narcotic-based
drugs. The associated (usually typewritten) label, indicating
that a pharmacist has dispensed them readily identifies
prescription drugs. Some common examples are; Valium,
Normison, and Anginine.

Non-prescription drugs are those

which may be purchased without
prescription. They consist of headache
compounds, cough elixirs, and similar mild
medications, and can be purchased at
virtually any chemist or retail outlet. Common
examples are; Panadol, Aspro, Vicks
Cough Syrup, alcohol, and nicotine
(cigarettes).
Illicit drugs are drugs that are imported,
grown or manufactured illegally. All illicit
drugs are dangerous and usually imply a
degree of dependence, or in some cases,
addiction. Examples are: heroin, cocaine,
amphetamines, ecstasy, marijuana, and
LSD.
All drugs, even non-prescription drugs, are
dangerous when taken as an overdose.
Many people have suffered severe renal and
kidney impairment from ingesting an
overdose of what they considered to be an
innocuous drug. As an example,
Paracetamol (Panadol, Panadeine) is an
excellent analgesic if taken as directed, but
is particularly dangerous, even fatal, if taken
as an overdose.
Using another persons medication is also a
very dangerous practice. Elderly people are
at risk of accidental overdose due to memory
lapses, and unsupervised children are also
at potential risk.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

evidence of empty containers,

suicide notes, etc

altered level of consciousness

slurred speech
depressed respirations
slow pulse, or alternatively, rapid,
weak pulse
irrational behaviour
pin-point pupils (narcotics)
injection (track) marks on arms,
behind knees, thighs, and groin
unconsciousness

respiratory/cardiac arrest

CARE AND TREATMENT

treat as for poisoning

urgent ambulance transport
psychological support

resuscitation as required

be aware of Hepatitis and HIV

The first aid provider should be aware that

care and treatment may not be restricted to
the chemical effects of drugs, but
psychological disturbances and trauma are
also associated with drug abuse and
overdose.
Certain amphetamines and cocaine cause
delusions and behavioural problems, which
can lead to self-inflicted injury or
inadvertent serious trauma.
Overdosing on alcohol (drunkenness) is
also an example of potentially injurious
behaviour.
Useful Resources
Australian Drug Information Network