Heroin overdose Health Article

Definition

This article describes poisoning from an overdose of heroin.

Alternative Names

Acetomorphine; Diacetylmorphine

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 - 48 hours.