Methadone overdose

Definition

Poisoning from an overdose of methadone.

Poisonous Ingredient

• methadone

Where Found

• Methadone
• Dolophine
• Methadose
• Eptadone
• Physeptone

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• body as a whole
  o muscle spasticity
  
• respiratory
  o difficulty breathing
  + slow and labored
  + shallow
  + stopped (sometimes fatal within 2-4 hours)
  
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o pinpoint pupils
  
• skin
  o bluish colored fingernails and lips
  
• gastrointestinal
  o spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
  o Constipation
  o nausea and Vomiting
  
• heart and blood vessels
  o weak pulse
  o Low Blood pressure
  
• nervous system
  o drowsiness
  o disorientation
  o coma
  o dizziness
  

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control for appropriate 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 drug was prescribed by a doctor
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person 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.