Morphine overdose
Home treatment:
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
- if the medication was prescribed for the patient
Poison Control, or a local emergency number:
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
What to expect at the emergency room:
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 may be needed.
- Administer intravenous fluids as needed.
- Monitor breathing.
- Treat the symptoms.
Expectations (prognosis):
If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 24 to 72 hours.
|
