Heroin overdose

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Alternative names
Acetomorphine; Diacetylmorphine

Definition
Poisoning from an overdose of heroin.

Poisonous Ingredient

• heroin

Where Found

• heroin

Symptoms

• body as a whole
  o muscle spasticity
  
• respiratory
  o breathing slow and labored
  o breathing shallow
  o stopped breathing (sometimes fatal within 2-4 hours)
  
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o pinpoint pupils
  o dry mouth
  o tongue discoloration
  
• skin
  o bluish colored fingernails and lips
  
• gastrointestinal
  o spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
  o constipation
  
• heart and blood vessels
  o weak pulse
  o low blood pressure
  
• nervous system
  o drowsiness
  o disorientation
  o coma
  o delirium

Home Treatment
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Call emergency services and Poison Control Center.

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.