The liver is a frequent target, a condition known as hepatotoxicity, because its primary function is to metabolize and detoxify substances. This process what is drug toxicity often involves converting the drug into a more water-soluble form for excretion, but it can also generate highly reactive metabolites that damage liver cells. This damage causes inflammation, cell death, and potentially acute liver failure. Examples of drug-induced liver injury range from mild elevations in liver enzymes to severe conditions that necessitate transplantation. For example, combining over-the-counter medications with prescription medications can affect how each drug is metabolized.
Opioid Toxicity
Some patients with opiate toxicity may not respond to high-dose naloxone treatment. Anecdotal reports suggest that buprenorphine may be beneficial if the cause is determined to be an opiate and the patient is in respiratory arrest. The onset of naloxone’s action is immediate, with peak response occurring within 3 to 8 minutes. A repeat dose may be indicated if the patient continues to show signs of opiate toxicity.
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Treatment
Naloxone’s duration of action is approximately 1 hour, and long-acting opiates may continue to cause sedation and respiratory depression. The majority of patients on heroin overdose are admitted due to the risk of acute lung injury, which often presents early. Individuals who are asymptomatic after a heroin overdose may not require 24-hour monitoring but still need 6 to 12 hours of observation before discharge, provided their vital signs remain stable. Pentazocine is classified as a partial agonist-antagonist and is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
- Combining different drugs can cause a particularly dangerous overdose.
- Certain antidotes enhance the elimination of toxins from the body by increasing their excretion through urine, bile, or other routes.
- Because there is an overwhelming amount of opioid in your brain, your body stops receiving the correct signals at all to breathe.
- Butorphanol comes in an intranasal form, and fentanyl is available both as a topical and an inhaler.
However, you should always call an ambulance if you suspect someone is at risk of overdose. If you can’t get a response from someone, do not assume they are asleep. To manage the health risks of drug adulteration or contamination, learn more about local drug testing or drug checking services in your jurisdiction. Because there is an overwhelming amount of opioid in your brain, your Oxford House body stops receiving the correct signals at all to breathe. Collecting urine specimens is a common and basic procedure in medical practice, providing valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions.
Brain damage–from mild to severe–is not often discussed with opioid overdose but is a real possibility. Given the association of opiate use with sudden respiratory difficulty, many healthcare professionals now advocate for take-home naloxone. Having naloxone at home is particularly beneficial for individuals at high risk of narcotic overdose.
Respiratory Viruses
First responders or healthcare providers look for signs of an overdose and rely on information from friends and loved ones. As you’re likely unconscious while experiencing an overdose, they’ll assess the scene and look for clues or substances near you. An opioid overdose happens when opioids overwhelm the part of your brain that controls breathing. WHO recommends that naloxone be made available to people likely to witness an opioid overdose, as well as training in the management of opioid overdose. In suspected opioid overdose, first responders should focus on airway management, assisting ventilation and administering naloxone.
What is a Drug Overdose?
Stopping the medication, then “re-challenging” it later, is one method of testing whether the symptoms are caused by the medicine. This method can be problematic, however, if the medication is essential and doesn’t have an equivalent substitute.
An overdose can happen if this is your first time using an opioid or if you’ve taken one frequently. Males, people of older age and people with low socio-economic status are at higher risk of opioid overdose than women, people of young age groups and people with higher socio-economic status. Inpatient rehab may be beneficial for those with a severe addiction, dual diagnosis, or polysubstance addiction due to the 24/7 care and treatment. Outpatient rehab is the more flexible choice for those who want to continue meeting other responsibilities while in recovery. Recovery.com combines independent research with expert guidance on addiction and mental health treatment. Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide.