Heroin overdose

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Acetomorphine; Diacetylmorphine

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Call emergency services and Poison Control Center.

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)

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.

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

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 24 to 48 hours.

Review Date: 02/13/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.