Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else:
- takes too much of a drug by accident
- has signs or symptoms of a drug overdose or emergency
- takes too much of a medicine or drug on purpose to harm themselves
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible.
The most important thing for all emergency services is to save the person's life.
What is an overdose?
An overdose is a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a substance or combination of substances in their system.
Any substance can cause an overdose or emergency.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death.
Other names for overdose include: OD, overamping, going under, drug toxicity or drug poisoning.
If you took too much of a medicine prescribed to you, get medical advice even if you feel well.
Signs and symptoms of an overdose
An overdose can happen very quickly or get worse slowly. The signs and symptoms can vary depending on the substance. They can include physical signs and changes to how the person thinks or feels.
Common signs include much higher or lower than usual:
- breathing rate
- heart rate
- blood pressure
- body temperature
- amount of sweating
Other signs and symptoms can include:
- changes in pupil size - much smaller or larger than usual
- tummy pain or cramps
- diarrhoea
- chest pain
- feeling dizzy, drowsy or confused
- problems with coordination or going limp
- not responding to noise or touch (unresponsive)
- seizures (fits)
- agitation or paranoia
- breathing problems or making choking, gurgling or snoring sounds
- blue or grey lips or fingertips
- loss of consciousness
Signs of an opioid overdose
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- shallow breathing or no breathing
- snoring or rasping sounds
- blue or grey lips or fingertips
- not responding to noise or touch (unresponsive)
- small or pinpoint pupils
- clammy and pale skin
These may also be signs that someone has too much of another depressant in their system. Depressants slow down messages between the brain and body. They include alcohol and drugs such as benzodiazepines.
Some people who use opioids carry naloxone.
Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids. It can keep a person alive until an ambulance arrives.
Signs of a stimulant overdose
Stimulants speed up messages between the brain and body. They include drugs such as cocaine.
Signs of a stimulant overdose include:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- sweating
- increased body temperature
- pain in the arms and legs
- hot skin - it can look red on white skin or purple on black or brown skin
- feeling anxious, irritable or confused
- agitation
- muscle twitches or shivering
- seizures (fits)
- fast breathing
A stimulant overdose is sometimes called overamping.
Signs of serotonin syndrome
Serotonin is a chemical that carries messages from your brain to your body. Serotonin syndrome is when your serotonin levels get too high. This can happen if you mix substances such as MDMA and antidepressants. It is a medical emergency.
Signs of serotonin syndrome include:
- confusion
- agitation
- muscle twitches
- sweating
- shivering or trembling
- a very high temperature (fever)
- pain in the arms and legs
- seizures (fits)
- irregular heartbeat
- unconsciousness