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.