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Hydromorphone overdose
Definition:
Poisoning from an overdose of the narcotic Dilaudid.

Alternative Names:
Dilaudid

Poisonous Ingredient:
Where Found:
  • Dilaudid
Symptoms:
Home Treatment:
Call Poison Control Center for appropriate treatment.
Before Calling Emergency:
Determine the following information:
  • the patient's age, weight, and condition
  • the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
  • the time it was swallowed
  • the amount swallowed
  • if the medication was prescribed for the patient
Poison Control, or a local emergency number:
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
What to expect at the emergency room:
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
  • Use gastric lavage.
  • Administer activated charcoal.
  • Give a counteracting drug (narcotic antagonist)--multiple doses if needed.
  • Administer intravenous fluids as needed.
  • Monitor the patient's breathing.
  • Treat the symptoms.
Expectations (prognosis):
If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 1 to 4 hours.
Review Date: 1/8/2002
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

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