title: Overdoses.
abstract: Certain basic principles are applicable to most drug overdose emergencies. These include emptying the stomach, administering activated charcoal, supporting vital functions, protecting target organs and using specific antidotes in appropriate cases. There are certain steps to be taken automatically in an unconscious patient with an unknown overdose. Drug screens rarely affect management. Special situations involve overdoses of acetaminophen, salicylates, tricyclic antidepressants, anticholinergics and narcotics.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000506:poisoning; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning; D007486:Ipecac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000506:poisoning; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000506:poisoning
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D002400:Cathartics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009294:Narcotics; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D012459:Salicylates; D002606:Charcoal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D009270:Naloxone; D007486:Ipecac; D000111:Acetylcysteine