Overdose Signs and Symptoms

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Overdose Signs & Symptoms

Overdose happens when someone accidentally, or knowingly, consumes a toxic amount of one or multiple drugs and is a medical emergency. If you think that you or another person is experiencing an overdose, it is critical to call 911 immediately.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of an overdose and what to do if you think you or someone else may be overdosing is life-saving information.

Some of the signs of an overdose are:

Unconsciousness or inability to awaken
Slow or shallow breathing or difficulty breathing such as choking sounds or a gurgling/snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened
Discolored skin (especially in nails or lips)
Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils" that don't react to light

What to do if someone suffers an overdose

Step One: Call 911

Step Two: Check for responsiveness and breathing by rubbing knuckles over breastplate and checking to see if lips and/or fingertips are blue

Step Three: Perform rescue breathing by tilting the head back and lifting the chin, pinching the nose. Seal their lips and give quick breaths into their mouth

Step Four: If available, put the Narcan/Naloxone kit together and administer intranasally (Narcan is effective only on opioid overdose)

Step Five: If no response, administer another does of Narcan/Naloxone

Step Six: To prevent chocking, roll person on their side in case they vomit

Step Seven: Once person starts breathing again and becomes alert, be prepared for person to be agitated or combative due to immediate withdrawal from the drug they were taking

Step Eight: Wait with the person until emergency help arrives

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