Overdose from prescription opioids can happen suddenly or over the course of a few hours. An opioid overdose can cause you to lose consciousness and stop breathing. Opioid overdose is preventable:
Prevent unintentional overdose by only taking medication as prescribed.
If you experience an overdose, your family may be able to reverse it with naloxone or help emergency responders understand your situation.
If you miss a dose of your prescription opioid, consult your healthcare provider before deciding to double up on the medication at the next dose.
Using alcohol with prescription opioids increases the risk for overdose.
Always tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking to avoid harmful drug combinations.
Only take prescription opioids that are prescribed to you. It is against the law to to share your controlled substance medication with anyone.
An effective way to increase the chances of survival for anyone experiencing an opioid overdose is to administer an emergency opioid antagonist (EOA) such as naloxone.
Emergency opioid antagonists can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose within 2 to 5 minutes. It lasts for about 30 minutes, which buys time for first responders to arrive and transport the person experiencing an overdose to the hospital for the necessary continued treatment. Always call 911 if someone is experiencing an opioid overdose.
Source: Addiction Policy Forum
For anyone experiencing an opioid overdose, using emergency opioid antagonists (EOAs) like naloxone can increase their chances for survival.
Most emergency responders are equipped with EOAs, but anyone can easily and safely administer EOAs, saving valuable minutes for the person experiencing the overdose.
If you are taking prescription opioids, or you are a close family member or friend of someone who does, consider carrying an EOA and getting trained to use it.
EOAs can be used for any type of opioid overdose, including prescription pain relievers, illicit heroin and fentanyl, and combinations of the drugs.
If given to someone not experiencing an opioid overdose (such as overdose from another drug type or a heart attack instead of an overdose), EOAs do not cause harm. It does not work in non-opioid overdose cases, and it is not addictive.
Ask your healthcare provider for a prescription for an emergency opioid antagonist (EOA), or talk with any participating pharmacist at the locations listed below about getting an EOA. This map represents pharmacies with a staff pharmacist who can dispense EOAs according to the statewide protocol. To help offset costs associated with purchasing EOAs, learn about an available savings card.
If you suspect someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose, you can help them by calling 911, remaining with the person until help arrives, trying to keep the person awake and administering an emergency opioid antagonist if available.
Using opioids in combination with other medications and substances can increase your risk for negative drug effects, including an accidental overdose.
Alcohol use while taking prescription opioids should be avoided. Because both work as depressants, the effects of both substances can dangerously slow breathing and increase your risk for overdose and death.
Benzodiazepines should not be taken with opioids.
Approximately 30% of opioid-related overdoses involve benzodiazepines. Taken together, the drug combination increases your risk for overdose 10-fold because they both have sedative effects that can slow breathing and cause overdose and death.