Demerol Overdose Amount, Signs & Treatment
Demerol is an opioid analgesic (also known as a narcotic) that is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Demerol is available as a tablet, liquid, or via intravenous injection before and during a major surgery for acute pain relief. This powerful narcotic can becomehabit-forming.
Demerol has become a popular street narcotic due to the attractive taste of the liquid solution and the strong euphoric feeling it provides. The oral solution is often described as a sweet banana-tasting liquid and the effects produced from Demerol are similar tomorphine.
With Demerol, overdose can happen from intentional overuse/misuse, an allergic reaction, accidentally taking a larger liquid dose, or by mixing it with different active substances like alcohol or other narcotics.
Opioid overdoses are gradually increasing. The national overdose rate grew more than 30 percent between July 2016 and September 2017. People are finding ways to obtain these drugs illicitly and altering how they are administered. If you or someone you know is taking Demerol, there are warning signs and symptoms to watch for which could indicate a possibleoverdose.
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Symptoms of Demerol Overdose
Like other opioid analgesics, Demerol directly impacts the central nervous system, slowing the function of vital organs. At first, it may be difficult to tell if someone has overdosed on Demerol; depending on the severity there may be no obvious signs of overdose displayed.
When someone overdoses on Demerol, they will typically experiencenausea, severe dizziness, severe drowsiness, bradycardia (excessively slow heart rate), low blood pressure, hypotension (low blood pressure), and extreme muscle weakness.
Many symptoms of Demerol overdose can be overlooked by others though the overdose victim will normally be aware if it is happening.
Demerol Overdose Signs
Overdose signs can be noticed by the victim or by an observer. A Demerol overdose could be looming if any of the following signs occur:
- Cold, clammy skin
- Vomiting
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Lips and fingernails are blue
- Muscle twitches
- Respiratory depression (shallow breathing, extremely weak breath, or no breath at all)
- Unable to stay awake followed by snoring (apnea)
- Cardiac arrest
Respiratory depression is the most common overdose sign. If left untreated, respiratory depression can cause brain damage from the lack of oxygen, and even death. Cardiac arrest is less common but it has a higher risk if Demerol is taken in larger amounts.
What To Do During an Opioid Overdose
Demerol overdose is best treated with professional medical equipment, so seek immediate care if you suspect one is occurring.
- Call 911 immediately.
- Administer naloxone, if it is available.Naloxoneis a safe medication that can quickly stop an opioid overdose for a short time.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.
How Much Demerol to Overdose?
The amount of Demerol the person has to take to cause an overdose varies. People who have more experience with opioid analgesics would typically need a larger dose to cause this issue, compared to someone who does not regularly take opioids. A person’s body weight, height, and age also affects this risk.
If Demerol is mixed withalcoholor other opioids, only a small amount of the narcotic can cause an overdose. If someone mistakes a tablespoon with a teaspoon while measuring out the liquid solution, the difference could cause relatively high levels of Demerol to be absorbed.
Demerol Overdose Treatment
Demerol overdose treatment truly relies on medical professionals and their available resources. Depending on the severity of the situation, the person caring for the victim can help by making minor preparations before medical responders arrive.
Keeping the victim calm and in one place will prevent them from falling down or further worsening symptoms. If possible, ask the overdose victim how much Demerol they took, if it was mixed with any substances, how they took it, and what their most prominent symptom is. Having this information ready for medical responders gives them a direction as to how serious the overdose is and what steps they need to take.
How Is Demerol Overdose Treatment?
The condition of the overdose victim and their symptoms will determine how an overindulgence of Demerol is treated.
If the victim is experiencing respiratory depression, the response team will secure a stable air flow to prevent too much carbon dioxide from building up. Activated charcoal may be used to clear the stomach of Demerol and reduce the absorption rate. This is referred to as “pumping” the stomach.
Once the overdose victim is in a hospital setting, they may be administered a medicine called Naloxone. This medicine is used to treat opioid overdoses by counteracting the effects of cardiac and respiratory difficulties.Breathing machines are often connected to the victim to ensure a reliable flow of oxygen while recovering.
