Drug overdose

Encyclopedia of Medicine, Apr 06, 2001 by Altha Roberts Edgren

While many victims of drug overdose recover without long term effects, there can be serious consequences. Some drug overdoses cause the failure of major organs like the kidneys or liver, or failure of whole systems like the respiratory or circulatory systems. Patients who survive drug overdose may need kidney dialysis, kidney or liver transplant, or ongoing care as a result of heart failure, stroke, or coma. Death can occur in almost any drug overdose situation, particularly if treatment is not started immediately.

To protect children from accidental drug overdose, all medications should be stored in containers with child resistant caps. All drugs should be out of sight and out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Prescription medications should be used according to directions and only by the person whose name is on the label. Threats of suicide need to be taken seriously and appropriate help sought for people with depression or other mental illness that may lead to suicide.

• Books
• Clinical Manual of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. Paramus: Appleton-Century-Crofts and Fleschner Publishing Company, 1994.
• Deglin, Judith Hopfer, and April Hazard Vallerand. Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses. 5th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 1996.
• Ellerhorn, Matthew J. Ellerhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
• Haddad, Lester M. Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1998.
• "Poisoning" In The Merck Manual. 16th ed. Rahway: Merck, 1992. Periodicals
• "Recognition and Treatment of Serious Antipsychotic Drug Overdose." Drugs & Therapy Perspectives 11(1998) :13-16. Other
• American Institute of Preventative Medicine. "Drug Overdose." http://www.healthy.net/LIBRARY/BOOKS/HEALTHYSELF/FIRSTAID/drug overdose.htm.
• Graber, Mark A. "Emergency Medicine: Overdose and Toxindromes" In University of Iowa Family Practice Handbook. 3rd ed. http//www.vh.org/Providers/ClinRef/FPHandbook/Chapter01/20-1.html.