Drug overdose: what are the symptoms?

Tentative de suicide, dosing errordouble take… The drug overdose is much more common than we imagine. “This is a large part of the reasons for consulting the emergency room,” confirms Dr. Julieta Quesada, emergency physician. And contrary to popular belief, it can lead to serious consequences, including daily medications like the paracetamol. “Certain symptoms should alert you, but even in their absence, you should quickly call a poison control center if in doubt,” insists the expert. We take stock.

This is a situation in which a patient takes a dose higher than dosage indicated. Most often, this is a minor error. However, this can lead to an increase more or less important drug effects.

The poison control center assesses the seriousness of the situation and can refer to emergencies if necessary. “The idea is to know whether action should be taken or whether the situation can be monitored without consultation,” specifies the doctor.

Overdose is most often accidental and can occur in very banal situations:

THE elderly people are particularly exposed to these risks.

When an overdose becomes toxic, we speak ofdrug poisoning. “It is often a question of suicide attempts with sedatives, or accidental significant overdoses in the children », specifies Dr. Quesada.

The most common symptoms are:

“Often, patients first present with digestive problems, then drowsiness when it comes to sedative medications,” adds the emergency physician.

“The paracetamol and the heart medications are particularly dangerous in the event of an overdose,” according to Dr. Julieta Quesada. Contrary to popular belief, sedatives or antidepressants are therefore not always the most dangerous.

Searches like “ taking 4 Doliprane 1000 by mistake » are common… and far from trivial. Symptoms often include:

The trap: the symptoms can be discreet or delayed, when the liver is already affected.

The toxicity threshold is located around 8 to 10 g in one dose in adults. The risk is then severe liver damagesometimes irreversible.

And antidote exists, but its effectiveness depends on the speed of treatment. “In the most serious cases, a liver transplant may be necessary,” alerts the emergency physician.

Some cardiological treatments ( beta blockers , digoxin, antiarrhythmics) can cause:

In overdose, these molecules expose people to a risk ofcardiac arrest .

Some overdoses remain discreet at first. “You should not wait for the symptoms to react,” insists Dr. Julieta Quesada.

All medications can become dangerous in the event of an overdose, but some can lead to more severe complications.

“Overdoses of benzodiazepines to treat theanxiety or insomnia (sleeping pills) are frequent and often voluntary. Very often, patients panic or regret after taking it and call the emergency room,” says Doctor Julietta Quesada.

These overdoses most often occur in patients already treated for anxiety or depression, in a context of misuse, an error in taking or sometimes a suicide attempt.

These situations are vital emergencies. An antidote exists (naloxone), but calling for help is essential.

Good to know: The fentanyl, very powerful drug, is strictly regulated in France due to the risk of respiratory depression in the event of overdose. The “zombie” image, often relayed in the media, actually corresponds to deep sedation.

These overdoses most often occur during infectious episodewhen several medications are taken at the same time, especially for self-medication.

It depends on the medication, the dose and the speed of treatment. It can last from a few hours to several dayssometimes with delayed complications.

In hospital, it may include:

“If the support is rapid, things can often be made up for with a stomach wash », specifies the emergency doctor.

But rapid treatment greatly improves the prognosis.