Heroin Overdose

Definition

This article describes poisoning from an overdose of heroin.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• heroin

Where Found

Heroin is made by processing opium poppies which are found all over the world.

Symptoms

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

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:

• 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.

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Review Date:2/13/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.