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Heroin Overdose: Part 2

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • The patient's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Breathing support, if needed
  • Chest X-ray
  • EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Medications to treat symptoms, including a narcotic antagonist, to counteract the effects of the heroin

Outlook (Prognosis)

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 24 to 48 hours. Heroin is often mixed with other substances, which can cause additional symptoms and organ damage. Hospitalization may be necessary.

Because heroin is commonly injected into a vein, there are health concerns related to sharing contaminated needles. Sharing contaminated needles can lead to hepatitis, HIV infection, and AIDS.

Alternative Names

  • Acetomorphine overdose
  • Diacetylmorphine overdose

U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedLine Plus. (Updated 2013, October 21). Heroin overdose. Retrieved April 28, 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

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