Opioid Overdose: How To Respond & Prevent Death

Your outlook also depends on how bad the overdose was and how quickly you get medical treatment. Mixing prescription drugs with alcohol and other illegal substances increases the risk for life threatening complications. Oxycodone (OxyContin) is a prescription opioid that can be lethal in high doses. Knowing the signs of overdose and the lethal dose of oxycodone can help prevent fatal outcomes.

Tolerance refers to the change in the effects of using a drug that occurs over multiple uses. Additional therapies may be needed if the person took hydrocodone and oxycodone with other drugs, such as Tylenol or aspirin. When you take the correct or prescribed dose of these medicines, side effects may occur. In addition to relieving pain, you may be drowsy, confused and in a daze, constipated, and possibly nauseated. Hydrocodone and oxycodone belong to a class of narcotic medicines called opioids.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don’t wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive. If people suspect themselves or someone they know is at risk of opioid misuse or an opioid overdose, they can talk with the healthcare professional who prescribed the opioid medication about any concerns. Death following opioid overdose is preventable if the person receives basic life support and the timely administration of the drug naloxone. Naloxone is an antidote to opioids that will reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if administered in time.

Hydrocodone/oxycodone overdose

The main cause of death from an opioid overdose is respiratory failure (you stop breathing). This happens because the opioids negatively affect the part of your brain that’s responsible for breathing. In a hospital setting, healthcare providers order several tests to check for any complications. They may perform other forms of medical care other than naloxone, such as intubation to help with breathing. Anyone who uses opioids could potentially experience an opioid overdose.

It’s important to receive training on how and when to use naloxone. They can be addictive, and people may feel a euphoric high through taking opioids. They group activities for recovering addicts bind to certain receptors in the body to reduce the amount of perceived pain the body feels.

These faster acting forms are used as needed for acute (short-term) pain, and the extended-release tablets are used around the clock to treat severe and chronic pain that requires longer treatment. Extended-release products should not be used for as-needed pain relief. A person can duloxetine and alcohol still experience the effects of an overdose after a dose of naloxone wears off. Because of this, it’s essential to call 911 for the person so they can get immediate medical care. If first responders suspect an opioid overdose, they’ll administer naloxone, a medication that treats opioid overdose. If the person’s symptoms improve with naloxone, it means they’ve experienced an opioid overdose.

1. This may affect the person’s outcome and chances of survival.
2. Naloxone is an antidote to opioids that will reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if administered in time.
3. Taking OxyContin in any way other than prescribed carries a risk of overdose.
4. Medicines that interact with oxycodone may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with oxycodone.
5. Oxycodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

The gap between recommendations and practice is significant. Only half of countries provide access to effective treatment options for opioid dependence and less than 10% of people worldwide in need of such treatment are receiving it (5). Access to naloxone is generally limited to health professionals. In many countries there is still limited availability of naloxone even in medical settings, including in ambulances. On the other hand, some countries have already made naloxone available in pharmacies without prescription.

What should I avoid while using oxycodone?

FDA-approved indications may vary for different oxycodone forms and strengths. Check the product package insert for indications and usage for each product. Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and in those who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders. People can store naloxone at room temperature, out of the light, and away from the reach of children or pets.

It’s the active ingredient in drugs like Percocet and OxyContin. Percocet is an instant-release drug that has acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain medication, inside the pill. OxyContin is an extended-release version and contains only oxycodone. If these individuals relapse and use the high amounts of the drug they used when they were active in their addictive behavior, they actually increase their risk of overdosing on oxycodone. Thus, one of the times when an individual is very prone to experience an overdose is when they relapse after being inactive recovery. A large overdose can cause a person to stop breathing and die if not treated right away.

What Actions To Take In A Suspected Case of Oxycodone Overdose

There are steps they can take to assist you to stop abusing these medications. They will also be able to help you keep from moving into addiction if it is brought to their attention early enough. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to take more of this medicine.

When you spend weeks or months away from oxycodone, an addict’s previously regular dose becomes lethal due to their lack of tolerance. As a result, they are more likely to be prescribed these medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses among women have increased more than 400 percent since 1999. Naloxone (Narcan) is the main emergency treatment for opioid overdose.

If the naloxone has no effect on them, their symptoms are due to something else. While North America currently has the highest rate of opioid overdoses in the world, opioid overdose continues to be a global issue. Healthcare professionals treat an opioid overdose with the drug naloxone. If someone has access to naloxone, they can administer it to the person who is having an overdose.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of an oxycodone overdose can help prevent fatal outcomes. If someone has taken a potentially lethal dose of oxycodone, look for the following signs. Taking oxycodone in higher doses than prescribed can lead to fatal respiratory depression. For people who are not opioid tolerant, this can occur after taking more than a drinking and shrooms single 40 mg dose, or more than 80 mg a day.

Also tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, intending to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. You should not use this medicine if you are already using a similar opioid medicine and are tolerant to it. Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy). If you think someone you love may be using or misusing opioids, talk to your loved one about the dangers of opioids and try to connect them to medical resources. Police officers, emergency medical technicians and first responders carry and have training on how to give naloxone. In most communities, any person can get and carry naloxone on them, not just medical professionals.

If you or a loved one has opioid use disorder, talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. A trained provider can help guide you to the treatment you need. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition — it requires care just like any other condition.