Painkiller Overdose

Overdosing from painkillers is a reality many individuals must face when painkiller addiction is relevant. Painkillers are prescribed to treat pain from benign to more severe because of their great ability to relieve a wide array of pain. A body can build a tolerance to painkillers in a relatively short amount of time, sometimes before the user is even aware of it. Often, a tolerance to a painkiller is the first step toward addiction and overdose and subsequently death.

If you are concerned that your painkiller addiction is leading you toward an alarming painkiller overdose, call Meditox today to get help.

What are the Signs of a Painkiller Overdose?

If you suspect a painkiller overdose, there are a number of symptoms or signs that you may be experiencing or notice in someone else who has taken too many painkillers. The following list may be able to help decide for sure:

Muscle spasms
Slow and labored breathing
Shallow breathing
Loss of breath
Pinpoint pupils
Skin that itches
Spasms of stomach and/or intestinal tract
Constipation
Weak pulse
Low blood pressure
Fingernails or lips that are a bluish color

It is also important to know that in a serious overdose, apnea, cardiac arrest, a decrease in respiratory rate and even death may occur.

What Do I Do in the Event of a Painkiller Overdose?

In the event that a painkiller overdose has taken place, it is crucial that you contact emergency medical professionals immediately. Prior to making the call, try and assess the following information so that you will be better able to answer the operator's questions.

Victim's age and weight and how they are feeling
The name of the painkiller, including the ingredients and tablet strength
When it was swallowed
The amount swallowed
If the painkiller was prescribed for the patient

If possible, bring the prescription bottle with you to the hospital.

If you are not sure if what the victim is experiencing is an actual painkiller overdose, feel free to contact the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. This number is toll-free and allows you to speak to poison experts who will be able to answer any questions you may have.

How is a Painkiller Overdose Treated?

You can expect to spend some time in the hospital if you overdose on an opioid painkiller. Painkillers usually prevent the victim from being able to breathe well, if at all. In this case, the medical staff will work to open the airways by using a ventilator. The narcotic antagonist naloxone is commonly administered to an overdose patient to prevent respiratory depression. It is also possible that the stomach may be pumped or syrup of ipecac will be given to flush out the remains of the drug.

Other supportive devices may be employed as needed including oxygen and intravenous fluids. The hospital staff will keep a constant watch to make sure that the victim is stabilized.

Avoid a Painkiller Overdose Through Painkiller Addiction Treatment at Meditox

At Meditox, we provide an outpatient painkiller addiction treatment program that boasts shorter detox time and minimal withdrawal symptoms with the use of Suboxone and Subutex. Suboxone and Subutex are FDA-approved prescription medications used to treat adults and teenagers over the age of 15 who are addicted to narcotic painkillers. Both of these drugs contain the active ingredient buprenorphine hydrochloride, which allows you to immediately stop taking your painkiller of choice without suffering from the negative withdrawal symptoms usually associated with detox.

With the help of substance abuse and addiction specialists at Meditox, you can avoid a painkiller overdose. Call us today to find out more about our outpatient addiction treatment program and the steps you can take to get your life back.

If you feel that Meditox might be the right solution for you or your loved one, please call us for a toll-free and private consultation:

Additional Resources

More Drug Overdose Deaths from Prescription Painkillers Than Cocaine and Heroin in the US
Preventing Abuse of Prescription Drugs and Pain Medications

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