The commonly overdosed drugs that are medically approved include pain medications (paracetamol, aspirin, etc.), prescribed pain medications (methadone, oxycodone, other opiates), and sedatives (valium). Illegal drugs that are commonly overdose are cocaine and methamphetamine.

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Causes of Drug Overdose

Drug overdose is usually classified as either accidental (unplanned) or intentional (planned).

• Accidental (unplanned) Drug Overdose
  • Taking a wrong medication
  • Taking the wrong doses of the right medication
  • Taking more than the daily recommended dosage, unaware that it is already beyond the daily recommended amount
  • Taking multiple medications due to perseverance of symptoms
  • Common in children to mistake these medications as candies or to ingest them out of curiosity
• Intentional (planned) Drug Overdose
  • To commit suicide or cause harm upon self
  • To get the “high” feeling or sensation
  • To gain attention

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Overdose

The signs and symptoms of drug overdose will vary depending on the drug that is ingested and the amount of drug in the body. Evidently, the higher the amount of drug overdosed in the body, the more dangerous it is. Individuals can be more sensitive to a particular drug, leading to more serious symptoms even at lower dosages. The following are the signs and symptoms of drug overdose:

• Change in vital signs – pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and temperature
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea that may present with blood
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin that is either hot and dry or cool and sweaty
• Feeling sleepy
• Dyspnea
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness

First Aid Management for Drug Overdose

It is important to give first aid to a victim of drug overdose, as it can be lethal. If not given immediate treatment, it may lead to death. The following steps are recommended in cases of drug overdose:

• Check and monitor for circulation, airway and breathing. If necessary, initiate chest compression and/ or CPR.
• Call for emergency medical services if the casualty has ceased breathing or collapses.
• If the casualty is unconscious, assist them to lie on their left side.
• If no signs or symptoms manifest, call Poison Control. They will advise you on what actions you should take next.
• If possible, bring the overdose drug or prescription bottle to the emergency room or give to the medics. This will assist in giving the proper treatment to the victim.
• Do not induce vomiting. Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink.

Learn how to treat and managed victims of drug overdose by enrolling in First Aid Classes and CPR Training.

Drug overdose is when an individual takes more than the recommended dosage of a particular medication. Drug overdose may be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

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Apart from physical and psychological dependence, addiction is an obvious side effect of such medication. Some of the drugs normally abused include: Opioids, stimulants and depressants. Being able to recognize a case of abuse is crucial in helping the patient recover from the condition.

Symptoms of Prescription Drug Abuse:

• Usage Increase- It’s normal for a patient’s body to develop tolerance against prescription drugs. In such a case, dosage may be increased for desired effects to be experienced. However, this decision should be left to the doctor but not the patient. Altering of dosage constitutes abuse.
• Personality Change- When someone taking prescription drugs becomes moody or changes behavioral patterns, this could be a symptom of dependency.
• Social Withdrawal- Other people usually become withdrawn from the society at large. They avoid close friends and even family members as a result of prescription drug abuse.
• Chronic Use- Even after the condition that was being managed has been treated, an addict will continue using the medication. Some even fake illness just to get another prescription. Be aware of complaints against doctors, especially from those who refuse to write numerous prescriptions.
• Change in Habit- Drug addiction can lead to a notable change in habits. When you want to indentify a case of prescription drug abuse, look at sleep patterns, personal hygiene, appearance, etc.
• Irresponsibility- This is a visible sign in abuse involving both street and prescription drugs. Drug abusers tend to neglect their responsibilities by calling in sick more often for instance.
• Enhanced Sensitivity- With chronic use, senses are enhanced thus making normal emotions, sounds and even sights unbearable. This may or may not occur with hallucinations.
• Blackouts- A person who experiences blackouts frequently could be abusing prescription drugs. This is especially true when they suffer memory loss after the episodes.

Ways of Dealing With a Prescription Drug Abuse Case:

Talk to the person particularly when they appear to be spaced out. Getting them to talk about their feelings will help them in coming out clean about the behavior. Furthermore, it will also reveal other underlying issues that are contributing to the situation.

Encourage the person to work-out. Exercising is one of the most effective methods of keeping the body healthy by riding it of toxins. This must be combined with a healthy diet plan.

When you suspect a case of prescription drug abuse, notify the doctor first. Confronting the patient may worsen the situation should the person decide to withdraw.

In general, assumptions can be dangerous when dealing with a suspected drug abuse case. This is because not everyone using plenty of prescription medication is a drug abuser. Always be on the lookout for the symptoms first to be certain of the transpiring events.

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relieve from pain. It is the trade name acetylsalicylic acid.  Aspirin works by inhibiting the discharge or prostaglandin, a hormone-like substance. Aspirin helps relieve symptoms of many various conditions such as, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Moreover, nonprescription aspirin is used to relieve of symptoms ranging from fever to headaches to muscle aches to tooth ache to menstrual pain, and even to colds. Aspirin has also been prescribed to decrease risks of people who suffered from heart attacks and transient ischemic strokes. It is one of the most common pain-relieving medicines found in households, but if taken in large doses, it may be serious.

Brands that Consist of Aspirin

Aspirin is available as it is or in combination with other medications, such as cough and cold medicines, pain relievers and antacids. Often, the cause of aspirin overdose is unawareness of presence of acetylsalicylic acid in certain drugs.

Some Brand Names of Aspirin

• Aspirtab
• Aspir-trin
• Bayer
• Buffex
• Minitabs

Some Brand Names of Combination Products

• Alka-Seltzer
• Anacin
• Bayer Aspirin Plus
• Excedrin
• Lortab
• Momentum
• Norgesic
• Soma
• Vanquish

Causes of Aspirin Overdose

There are several ways to overdose acetaminophen, which are either intentional or accidental.

• Planned overdose (intentional)
  • To bring harm upon themselves or suicide attempts
  • To gain attention on self
  • To abuse a child
  • Unplanned overdose (accidental)
    • Taking more than recommended dosage allowed in a day due to continuance of symptoms
    • Taking multiple medicines containing aspirin unknowing of the composition
    • Taking extended release forms wherein the medications stay in the body for anextended period of time

Symptoms of Aspirin Overdose

Taking aspirin may have side effects and these are no cause for worry. They do not necessarily mean an overdose has occurred. Seek medical advice if one or more symptoms persist, especially in severe cases. Some of these include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• In more severe cases,
  • Rashes, swelling of face, increased breathing, blood in vomit, blood in stools, black stools, hearing loss, trouble breathing, etc.

Symptoms of aspirin overdose are more serious than any of the aforementioned symptoms. Some of these include:

• Burning sensation in the throat or stomach
• Decreased urination
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Irritability
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Bizarre behavior
• Double vision
• Shaking one part of the body uncontrollably
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness for a time

First Aid Management for Aspirin Overdose

Aspirin overdose may quickly turn into a serious problem, therefore action must betaken. Call for emergency care.

• If unconscious, check for ABCs. If necessary, initiate CPR.
• If awake with no apparent symptoms, do not wait for symptoms to develop.Call the local poison control center.
• If awake with even slight symptoms, bring to the closestemergency room.
  • It is important to note all symptoms and medications taken to make sure of the proper treatment is given to the underlying cause.

Registering to join in First Aid Classes and CPR training will sharpen one’s skills in recognizing symptoms, administering proper management and saving lives. The earlier aspirin overdose is diagnosed, the smaller the risks fordeveloping complications.

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Important Information Regarding Aspirin Poisoning

Call 911 immediately and seek emergency help if the following problems occur:

• The casualty is having convulsions
• The casualty is not breathing
• The casualty is unconscious

Treatment

1. Call for an ambulance immediately
2. In case of an aspirin overdose:

• Call poison control to receive instructions regarding what should be done. Even if the casualty is not showing any signs or symptoms of poisoning, call for an ambulance and seek medical help immediately
• Provide the call taker with useful information such as the names of all the medication the casualty has taken the amount of medication taken–the dosage, the time when the poisoning occurred or when the casualty took the medication

Even if the casualty has taken a small amount of aspirin, you may have to monitor symptoms and look for any changes carefully. For a larger dosage, you will have to take him or her to the emergency department as promptly as possible.

When the casualty is taken to the hospital, doctors may check the level of aspirin in the casualty’s blood to determine its toxic effect. Doctors may give the casualty treatment medication or activated charcoal to reduce the toxicity of the medication taken so that long-term effects are prevented.

Learn More

To learn more about managing victims of poisonings take St Mark James first aid programs (register here).

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