Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it attaches to opioid receptors in your body and reverses and blocks the effects of opioids already in your system. Naloxone can restore normal breathing within two to five minutes to a person who’s experiencing an opioid overdose. Opioid overdoses are medical emergencies that require quick diagnosis and treatment. Because of this, first responders and people who are trained to administer naloxone (Narcan®) mainly rely on symptoms and personal history to diagnose them. As the person experiencing an overdose is usually unconscious, providers rely on bystanders or loved ones to tell them if the person has a history of substance use. They may also find games for substance abuse groups items or substances related to the overdose near the person.
The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Legacy Healing Center, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in California, Florida, Ohio, and New Jersey. If you or a loved one is facing addiction, you can find opioid addiction treatment near you.
Hydrocodone and oxycodone are powerful drugs that doctors only prescribe when they are needed. The ingredients in these drugs are habit-forming, and some people may become addicted to them. People who become addicted often build up a tolerance to the drug. This means they will need to take larger amounts in order to feel its effects. Oxycodone overdose occurs when someone has taken an excessive dose of oxycodone or has mixed it with other drugs or alcohol. Oxycodone, the active ingredient found in narcotics like OxyContin and Percocet, is a powerful prescription opioid.
If you use opioid medicine such as oxycodone while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using oxycodone.
You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Unfortunately, the abuse and overdose of pain medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone are growing among almost all age groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 24% of fatal opioid overdoses in 2020 involved prescription opioids like oxycodone. In addition, discontinuation of a concomitantly used cytochrome P450 3A4 inducer may increase oxycodone plasma concentration. Patients receiving oxycodone and any CYP3A4 inhibitor or inducer should be regularly monitored. Opioid medicine, including this medicine, can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur.
How should I use oxycodone?
- According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6.1 percent of high school seniors reported abusing these drugs in 2014.
- After successful resuscitation following the administration of naloxone, the level of consciousness and breathing of the affected person should be closely observed until full recovery has been achieved.
- Opioid medicine, including this medicine, can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur.
- Appropriate use and regulation of opioid analgesics ensures that they are available where needed whilst preventing their diversion and harm related to misuse.
- Respiratory depression is a breathing condition characterized by slow, shallow, or difficult breathing.
- Adolescents have a greater tendency to share their pain medications with friends or relatives.
If you become pregnant while taking oxycodone, do not stop your medication suddenly without talking to your doctor. An opioid overdose happens when opioids excessively stimulate the part of your brain that regulates breathing. This leads to respiratory depression (ineffective breathing) and can cause death if it isn’t treated in time. WHO recommends that naloxone be made available to people likely to witness an opioid overdose, as well as training in the management of opioid overdose.
If you or a loved one has opioid use disorder, talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. A trained provider can help guide you to the treatment you need. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition — it requires care just like any other condition.
Hydrocodone/oxycodone overdose
Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with opioids being the most common cause. If people take opioids incorrectly, such as taking too high a dose or mixing them with certain other substances, it can cause an overdose. An opioid overdose is a medical emergency, and people will need immediate treatment. Factors that have led to opioid misuse in the United States are increased marketing by drug companies, development of new drugs, increased supply of opioids, and prescription by health care providers. Hydrocodone and oxycodone overdose occurs when someone intentionally or accidentally takes too much medicine containing these ingredients.
Taking a lethal dose of oxycodone may cause very slow or stopped breathing. If someone has stopped breathing or is breathing very slowly after taking oxycodone, call 911 right away. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to oxycodone hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Oxycodone how to wean someone off alcohol is a controlled substance Schedule II, which means it has an accepted medical use but may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence and has a high potential for abuse. If someone notices any signs of an opioid overdose, they will need to call 911 immediately.
You may also have an overdose by taking more than the amount your doctor authorized, for recreational use or to hurt yourself. To find another treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
How is an opioid overdose diagnosed?
An opioid overdose may result from taking a higher dose than necessary, mixing opioids with other medications or alcohol, who are the most famous alcoholics or using opioids to experience a high. If someone is unsure if a person is having an opioid overdose or another medical emergency, it is still safe to give them naloxone. WHO recommends the use of a range of treatment options for opioid dependence. WHO supports countries in improving the coverage and quality of treatment programmes for opioid dependence and introducing them where they do not already exist. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did find that people using more than 60 mg of oxycodone a day were at a much higher risk of dying from an overdose.
Perform mouth-to-mouth breathing if the person stops breathing. Between 2019 and 2020, almost half of the states in the Union saw an increase of opioid overdose deaths. Taking more than a single dose of 40 mg, or a total daily dose of 80 mg of oxycodone, may cause fatal respiratory depression in people without opioid tolerance.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a person will usually return to consciousness 1–3 minutes after a dose of naloxone. The acronym B-L-U-E is a helpful mnemonic that can remind someone of what to do if they think a person is having an overdose. Avoid grapefruit products and drinking alcohol or taking illegal or recreational drugs while taking oxycodone. These medicines may also be combined with the non-narcotic medicine, acetaminophen (Tylenol).
However, the way in which the drug is consumed will play a role. For example, a person who takes 10 milligrams of oxycodone orally may be able to tolerate it more than snorting the same dose. When you snort the drug, it reaches the bloodstream much sooner, which could cause you to overdose. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.