HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Drug overdose
Important
A drug overdose is a medical emergency. Phone 111 and ask for an ambulance.
A drug overdose happens as a result of a person taking too much of a drug. It may be deliberate or accidental. The drug can be a prescribed medicine or a recreational drug. Effects differ depending on the drug overdosed on.
How do I know if someone has taken a drug overdose?
Someone who has taken a drug overdose will show some of the following symptoms:
- confusion
- sleepiness
- stomach pain
- nausea and vomiting
- sweating
- excitable behaviour
- shaking hands.
How can I help someone who has taken a drug overdose?
- If they are conscious, get them into a comfortable position.
- If they are not conscious follow this advice if they are breathing, or start CPR if they are not breathing.
- If possible, ask them what they have taken, and how much of it. Keep any containers or syringes to give to ambulance staff.
- Stay with them and wait for the ambulance.
- If someone tells you they've taken an overdose a day or two ago get them to a GP for an urgent assessment – even if they say they are fine.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Canterbury DHB – Paracetamol overdose
This factsheet has information about paracetamol, including the damage an overdose can cause, the symptoms of an overdose, and the treatment.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2018.
Source
What happens next?
Review key: HIFAD-141030
