Heroin overdose


Alternative names

 Acetomorphine; Diacetylmorphine

Definition

Poisoning from an overdose of heroin.

Poisonous ingredient

• heroin

Where found 

• heroin

Symptoms

• body as a whole
  • muscle spasticity
• respiratory
  • breathing slow and labored
  • breathing shallow
  • stopped breathing (sometimes fatal within 2-4 hours)
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • pinpoint pupils
  • dry mouth
  • tongue discoloration
• skin
  • bluish colored fingernails and lips
• gastrointestinal
  • spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
  • constipation
• heart and blood vessels
  • weak pulse
  • low blood pressure
• nervous system
  • drowsiness
  • disorientation
  • coma
  • delirium

Home treatment

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Call emergency services and Poison Control Center.

Before calling emergency 

Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Call poison control 

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring a sample with you to the emergency room if available.

What to expect 

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Give a counteracting drug (narcotic antagonist)--multiple doses if needed.
• Administer intravenous fluids as needed.
• Monitor breathing.
• Treat the symptoms.

Prognosis

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 24 to 48 hours.