Drug overdose

A drug overdose occurs when a chemical substance (i.e. drug) is ingested in quantities and/or concentrations large enough to overwhelm the homeostasis of a living organism, causing severe illness or death. Essentially it is a type of poisoning.

Diagnosis and management

Diagnosis and management are generally straightforward if the drug is known. The diagnosis can be very difficult if the patient cannot (or refuses to) state which medication has been overdosed. At times, certain symptoms and signs exhibited by the patient, or blood tests, can reveal the drug in question. Even without knowing the drug, most patients can be treated with general supportive measures.

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In some instances, empirical antidotes may be administered if there is sufficient indication that the patient has overdosed on a particular type of medication: naloxone in opioids and flumazenil in benzodiazepines. Rapid reversal of symptoms may serve as proof in these cases.

Related Topics:
Antidote - Naloxone - Opioid - Flumazenil - Benzodiazepine

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