This condition is caused by taking too much of a medicine, illegal drug, or other substance. It often results from:

• Lack of knowledge about a substance.

• Using more than one substance at the same time.

• An error made by the health care provider during prescribing or dispensing of the drug.

• A lapse in memory, such as forgetting that you have already taken a dose of the medicine.

• Suddenly using a substance after a long period of not using it.

The following substances and medicines are more likely to cause an accidental drug poisoning:

• Medicines that treat mental health conditions (psychotropic medicines).

• Pain medicines.

• Cocaine.

• Heroin.

• Multivitamins that contain iron.

• Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines.

This condition is more likely to occur in:

• Aging adults. Aging adults are at risk because they may:

  • Be taking many different medicines.

  • Have difficulty reading labels.

  • Forget when they last took their medicine.

• People who use illegal drugs.

• People who drink alcohol while using illegal drugs or certain medicines.

• People with certain mental health conditions.

Symptoms of this condition depend on the substance and the amount that was taken. Common symptoms include:

• Behavior changes, such as confusion.

• Sleepiness.

• Weakness.

• Slowed breathing.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Seizures.

• Very large or small eye pupil size that does not change in response to changes in light.

A drug poisoning can cause a very serious condition in which your blood pressure drops to a low level (shock). Symptoms of shock include:

• Cold, clammy, or pale skin.

• Blue lips.

• Very slow breathing.

• Extreme sleepiness.

• Severe confusion.

• Dizziness or fainting.

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms. You will be asked about the substances you took and when you took them.

• A physical exam.

You may also have tests, including:

• Urine tests.

• Blood tests.

• An electrocardiogram (ECG).

This condition may need to be treated right away at the hospital. Treatment may involve:

• Getting fluids and electrolytes through an IV. Electrolytes are salts and minerals in the blood.

• Having a breathing tube inserted in your airway (endotracheal tube) to help you breathe.

• Taking or receiving medicines. These may include medicines that:

  • Absorb any substance that is in your digestive system.

  • Block or reverse the effect of the substance that caused the drug poisoning.

• Having your blood filtered through an artificial kidney machine (hemodialysis).

• Ongoing counseling and mental health support. This may be provided if you used an illegal drug.

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

• Before taking a new medicine, ask your health care provider whether the medicine:

  • May cause side effects.

  • Might react with other medicines.

• Keep a list of all the medicines that you take, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Bring this list with you to all of your medical visits.

General instructions

• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.

• If you are working with a counselor or mental health professional, make sure to follow instructions given.

• Do not drink alcohol if:

  • Your health care provider tells you not to drink.

  • You are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant.

• If you drink alcohol:

  • Limit how much you have to:

    • 0–1 drink a day for women.

    • 0–2 drinks a day for men.

  • Know how much alcohol is in your drink. In the U.S., one drink equals one 12 oz bottle of beer (355 mL), one 5 oz glass of wine (148 mL), or one 1½ oz glass of hard liquor (44 mL).

• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Get help right away. Call 911.

• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.

• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.