Overdose

Overdose death, can take the form of heart failure (through over exertion or through it stopping due to too many sedatives slowing the breathing down), liver failure (where the body is unable to eliminate the drug from the body leading to poisoning and other organ failure) or breathing or respiratory failure (where the lungs stop working due to the depressant drug(s) slowing down the breathing to such an extent that it stops).

Physical symptoms of a drug overdose vary with the type of drug(s) taken. They include:

• Abnormal breathing
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Slow or rapid pulse
• Low or elevated body temperature
• Enlarged or small eye pupils
• Reddish face
• Heavy sweating
• Drowsiness
• Delusions and/or hallucinations
• Unconsciousness which may lead to coma

Overdose is most common among depressants such as such as heroin, methadone, barbiturates, and solvents, particularly when mixed with other depressant such as alcohol and tranquillisers. Overdose with stimulants is less common, but can occur.

Updated Januray 2004