Drug Overdose

Dr. Diah Ari Safitri, SpPD

emedicine
Overview
 accidental or intentional.
 occur when a person takes more than the medically
recommended dose.
 Illicit drugs, used to get high, may be taken in
overdose amounts when a person's metabolism
cannot detoxify the drug fast enough to avoid
unintended side effects.
 Exposure to chemicals, plants, and other toxic
substances that can cause harm are called
poisonings.
 The higher the dose or the longer the exposure, the
worse the poisoning.
– Two examples are carbon monoxide poisoning and
mushroom poisoning.
 Treatment is tailored to the individual's needs.
Causes

 Young children may swallow drugs by

accident because of their curiosity
about medications they may find.

 Adolescents and adults are more likely

to overdose on one or more drugs in
order to harm themselves.
Symptoms

 In overdose, side effects become more pronounced, and other

effects can take place
 Problems with vital signs are possible and can be life
threatening.
 Sleepiness, confusion, and coma are common and can be
dangerous if the person breathes vomit into the lungs
(aspirated).
 Skin can be cool and sweaty, or hot and dry.
 Chest pain is possible and can be caused by heart or lung
damage.
 Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are possible.
Vomiting blood, or blood in bowel movements, can be life
threatening.
 Specific drugs can damage specific organs, depending on the
drug.
Exams and Tests

 A history and physical examination

 laboratory tests
 Family members and associates are an important
source of information. They can assist in providing
the doctor with names of drugs, amounts taken,
and timing of overdose.
 Specific drug levels in the blood may be measured,
depending on the drug taken and the reason for the
overdose.
 Drug screening may also be done.
Treatment

 Treatment will be dictated by the specific drug

taken in the overdose.
– Information provided about amount, time, and underlying
medical problems will be very helpful.
 gastric lavage
 Activated charcoal
 Agitated or violent people need physical restraint
and sometimes sedating medications in the
emergency department until the effects of the
drugs wear off..
 Sometimes the person has to be intubated.
 antidote
Follow-up

 follow-up visit
 psychiatric care
 For children, the experience of being
treated for an overdose may have
been frightening. They need help in
coping with the trauma as well as
learning from the mistake.
Prevention

 medications, must be kept in a safe, secure place.

 People with certain mental illnesses need the help
of family and friends to assist with medication
therapy and to lend social support.
 Make your home safe so children do not have
access to medications.
 Make sure elderly people understand how to take
their medication and can recognize one medicine
from another.
Outlook

 A person who overdoses generally recovers

completely
 Some drugs can cause transient damage to certain
organ systems.
– The liver and the kidneys are 2 organ systems at high risk.
 Brain damage resulting from suppression of lung
and heart function is generally permanent.
 If the mental health problems that led to an
intentional overdose are not addressed, then the
person remains at risk for repetitive drug
overdoses.