Journal of Pharmacovigilance

Frequency of Fatal and Non-Fatal Overdoses

Kathleen Kenny^* Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
^*Correspondence: Kathleen Kenny, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, Email:

Received: 16-Aug-2022, Manuscript No. JP-22-18417; Editor assigned: 19-Aug-2022, Pre QC No. JP-22-18417(PQ); Reviewed: 02-Sep-2022, QC No. JP-22-18417; Revised: 09-Sep-2022, Manuscript No. JP-22-18417(R); Published: 16-Sep-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2329-6887.22.10.391

Description

An overdose, sometimes abbreviated as OD, occurs when the body is overwhelmed by a toxic amount or combination of substances. Abuse can lead to overdose of many things. It includes alcohol, drugs and even prescription drugs.

A drug overdose can be accidental or intentional. Accidental overdoses often occur when people take more prescription drugs than originally intended to get a particular result, or use too many illegal drugs to get better highs. An intentional overdose is usually the result of a suicide attempt. Regardless of intent, the loss of life from an overdose is tragic, and an overdose can have serious and lasting effects.

Five possible effects of an overdose

What a person experiences during an overdose depends on the substance used. An overdose generally occurs when a person take too much of a particular drug, but it can also occur when he/she take multiple substances and their interactions produce unintended effects.

Some immediate effects of an overdose include:

Slowed breathing: This is one of the most common consequences of overdose, it can occur when someone overdoses on opioids, alcohol, or other tranquilizers. In some cases, breathing slows to the point of stopping, which can be fatal without medical intervention.

Vomiting: Vomiting is also a common overdose symptom, especially in the case of alcohol overdose. This is dangerous if a person is alone during an overdose. In some cases, some people vomit in their sleep and choke without waking up.

Seizures: Seizures can occur as a result of an overdose of stimulants or alcohol. A seizure can result in injury when a part of the body hits the ground or other object, but it can also cause other health hazards, such as temporary confusion, loss of consciousness, severe headaches, and brain damage.

Coma: An overdose can cause coma if not enough oxygen reaches the brain. Coma can cause problems with memory, coordination, and communication, so recovery can take time. In some cases, people who have been put into a coma by an overdose never recover.

Cardiac arrest: Cardiac arrest is a potentially fatal event and can also result in prolonged health problem. If the person survives, should call 911 so that necessary medical attention can be obtained immediately. Cardiac arrest has fatal and invisible side effects, so we should always make sure our doctor is involved in the recovery process.

If someone takes too many medications, they may suffer from an overdose. A drug overdose can be fatal if not treated promptly.

First and foremost, it is important to remain calm and place the patient in a stable lateral recumbent position. Many people may not immediately call an ambulance during a drug overdose for fear of stigma or lack of access to a phone. If we don't, we may suffer long-term complications.

The treatment for an overdose depends on how severe the overdose is and what substances the person has taken. Outlook and recovery from overdoses also depends on what actions medical staff took to reverse the overdose and stabilize the person who is overdosing. After medical professionals manage an overdose, it is strongly recommended to follow up with a primary physician. A follow-up primary physician can assess the person who overdosed for potential long-term damage, evaluate them for a substance use disorder, and help them determine if it is time to attend a rehab centre for drug addiction, whether this is in outpatient or inpatient rehab treatment centre.

With early intervention and the proper medical support, many overdoses can be reversed and many patients can return to life as functioning adults. However, medical professionals must take a variety of factors into consideration to provide the best medical support for each patient who overdoses, including chronic medical conditions that may be impacted by the overdose.