HealthInfo Canterbury
Drug overdose
Get help straight away!
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.
What happens next?
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. December 2016.
SourceReview key: HIFAD-141030
