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Insight Horizon Media

What happens if you overdose?

Author

Sarah Cherry

Published Feb 14, 2026

What happens if you overdose?

Some general symptoms associated with various overdose states include severe chest pain, seizures, severe headaches, difficulty breathing, delirium, extreme agitation, or anxiety. In addition to these symptoms, other signs may include: Deviations from normal body temperature (e.g., hyperthermia/hypothermia).

What is the antidote for drug overdose?

Naloxone has long been a staple in emergency departments, where it is used to reverse the effects of an overdose of an illicit or prescription opioid.

What is an overdose definition?

An overdose is when you take more than the normal or recommended amount of something, often a drug. An overdose may result in serious, harmful symptoms or death. If you take too much of something on purpose, it is called an intentional or deliberate overdose.

Does overdose of medicine cause death?

Taking too much of a medicine can be very dangerous, and even fatal. But accidental overdoses can be prevented. If someone is not breathing or is unresponsive, and they have taken a medicine, seek help straight away.

How long do you stay in hospital if you overdose?

In a hospital, the person might be provided with treatments that could conflict with drug use, so patients will need to stay in the hospital for several days. They may not be able to take the drugs for several more days, or even weeks, without running the risk of yet another overdose.

Does narcan make you sleepy?

This means the breathing problems and sleepiness could come back. Always call for emergency help after the first dose of naloxone. Severe opioid withdrawal symptoms may happen suddenly after receiving this medicine.

How long do you stay in the hospital after an overdose?

When should you go to ER for overdose?

Mild symptoms include slurred speech, unsteadiness, and drowsiness. Call 9-1-1 and seek immediate emergency care for severe symptoms, including: Breathing problems. Delusions.

What do hospitals do when you overdose?

When they are taken in for an overdose, they will be administered with Narcan (naloxone), a life-saving injectable medication that reverses the effects of overdose medication. They “wake up” and begin breathing again almost immediately.