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Heroin overdose

Home treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

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

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. Bring a sample with you to the emergency room if available.

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 if 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 48 hours.


Adam

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