Methadone overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of methadone.

Poisonous Ingredient:

methadone

Where Found:

Methadone
Dolophine
Methadose
Eptadone
Physeptone

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
- muscle spasticity
respiratory
- difficulty breathing
  - slow and labored
  - shallow
  - stopped (sometimes fatal within 2-4 hours)
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- pinpoint pupils
skin
- bluish colored fingernails and lips
gastrointestinal
- spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
- constipation
- nausea and vomiting
heart and blood vessels
- weak pulse
- low blood pressure
nervous system
- drowsiness
- disorientation
- coma
- dizziness

Home Treatment:

Call Poison Control 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 drug was prescribed by a doctor

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person 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.
Administer a laxative.
Give a counteracting drug (narcotic antagonist)--multiple doses if needed.
Administer intravenous fluids as needed.
Monitor 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: 1/11/2002
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial.

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