Women are more likely to report chronic pain than men. As a result, they are more likely to be prescribed these medications. Because of this, they are also more likely to abuse them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses among women have increased more than percent since It is helpful to check in on loved ones taking pain medication on a regular basis.
This is especially true for those who are 65 years old and older. They run a higher risk of an accidental overdose. People who take these medications may have some side effects. These normal side effects include drowsiness, constipation, or nausea.
However, an overdose can have more serious symptoms. These include:. A drug overdose is a medical emergency.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of an overdose, call You may also call poison control at Long-term abuse of painkillers can cause serious medical problems.
These issues become even more dangerous when you drink alcohol or take them with other drugs. A drug overdose requires emergency medical treatment.
Doctors may use a drug naloxone if breathing is very slow or not deep. This may also be used if doctors feel that the overdose may lead to death. However, if breathing is good, doctors may instead use activated charcoal or laxatives to help get any leftover medications out of the stomach. Drug treatment programs and therapy may also be recommended to help with drug abuse and addiction.
Treatment for painkiller abuse and overdose depends on the medication and how bad the abuse is. Toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring. Editorial team. Hydrocodone and oxycodone are opioids, drugs that are mostly used to treat extreme pain.
Poisonous Ingredient. The most common painkillers that include these two ingredients are: Norco OxyContin Percocet Percodan Vicodin Vicodin ES These medicines may also be combined with the non-narcotic medicine, acetaminophen Tylenol.
Before Calling Emergency. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: The person's age, weight, and condition Name of product as well as the ingredients and strength, if known The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. The person may receive: Activated charcoal Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth intubation , and breathing machine ventilator Blood and urine tests Chest x-ray CT computed tomography, or advanced imaging scan ECG electrocardiogram, or heart tracing Fluids through a vein intravenous or IV Laxative Medicines to treat symptoms, including naloxone, an antidote to reverse the effect of the poison, many doses may be needed Additional therapies may be needed if the person took hydrocodone and oxycodone with other drugs, such as Tylenol or aspirin.
Outlook Prognosis. Alternative Names. Opioid Misuse and Addiction Read more. Conclusions: A significant proportion of overdose decedents had been prescribed the same type of drugs that contributed to their death, especially for decedents who died from overdoses involving oxycodone, hydrocodone, and alprazolam.
Higher dose strengths for certain opioids had higher associated mortality, and certain immediate-release opioids may be considered for public health prevention efforts. Abstract Objective: Misuse, abuse, and diversion of prescription drugs are large and growing public health problems that have resulted in an overdose epidemic. Acetaminophen targets your liver and can cause serious damage.
Over-the-counter pain medications may combine with the acetaminophen in Percocet and put you in danger. If you are concerned about overdose, look for symptoms. Percocet overdose involves the following primary signs:.
If you are having trouble breathing or a loved one has lost consciousness, call for immediate help. After an overdose, or ideally before one occurs, take steps to end further risk. Surviving an overdose is a gift. It is a second chance. Reach out for dependence and addiction treatment.
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