Accidental overdose of medicine

Taking too much medicine is known as an overdose. An accidental overdose happens when someone takes too much medicine or the wrong medicine by mistake.

Most overdoses are not fatal or life threatening, but you should always get medical help if you think an overdose has happened.

Most medicines can cause side effects or be toxic (harmful) if you do not use them the right way. It's important to follow instructions from your doctor or pharmacist carefully. When medicine is used correctly — in the right doses (amounts) to treat the right problems — it can be safe and helpful for you.

An accidental overdose can happen when:

• a medicine is taken by mistake
• too much medicine is taken by mistake
• a medicine you take reacts with another medicine or drug

You have a higher chance of accidental overdose if you:

• take multiple medicines
• take a combination of different medicines (Opens in new tab)
• mix medicine with alcohol or other drugs
• have a low body weight — talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are an adult and weigh less than 50 kg

It's always important to read the label, even if you have taken the medicine before.

Taking too much medicine

Here are some ways you could take too much medicine by mistake:

• Medicines have the same active ingredient but have different brand names. For example, 2 pain relief or flu medicines might have different names, but both contain paracetamol. This means you could take a double dose of paracetamol without knowing.
• The instructions label is hard to read or understand. For example, it might say 'take as directed' but you don't remember what instructions your doctor gave. If you are unsure of how to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist.
• A medicine is used too many times. For example, a medicine should be taken 2 times a day, such as morning and night, but you have taken it 3 times a day.
• The medicine taken is the wrong strength. The same medicine may come in different strengths (amount of active ingredient). This means that a tablet in one pack of medicine may contain a higher dose of medicine than a tablet in another pack.
• A wrong measuring device was used. For example, when you measure a liquid medicine without using the syringe or spoon provided, it may be less accurate.

Always read the instructions on a packet so you know how much medicine to take.

Overdose in children

Children are curious and may be drawn to the bright colours of some medicines. Keep medicines where children cannot reach them. Keep your child's medicines in the container it came in. It is usually a childproof container.

Medicine doses for babies and children are usually different from adult doses. Some medicines should not be given to babies or children, so a different medicine might be needed instead.

Some medicines are given based on your child's age and others are given based on your child's weight.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about which medicines are safe for your baby or child, and how much to give them.

Medicines for babies and children are often liquid. You can give a medicine to your baby or child using a syringe, spoon or measuring cup. The best one to use depends on their age and how much medicine they need. Always measure the dose of any liquid medicine — do not guess. Watch your child swallow the medicine.

When young children accidentally take the wrong medicines, it can cause serious problems. This is why it is vital to keep all medicines where children cannot reach them.

It's important to be careful with all medicines, but some may need more care than others.

Opioids

Opioids include strong pain medicines such as:

• codeine
• fentanyl
• oxycodone

An opioid overdose is a medical emergency. If you take too much of an opioid medicine, it can stop your brain from controlling breathing. This means your breathing can slow down or stop.

You have a higher chance of harm if you also:

• drink alcohol
• take benzodiazepines (such as diazepam and alprazolam)
• take antidepressants
• take antipsychotics
• take paracetamol

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is a medicine commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain. It is also in many cold and flu medicines. It's dangerous to take more than the recommended daily dose of paracetamol.

Taking too much paracetamol may:

• damage your liver, which can be fatal (cause death)
• cause jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes)
• cause abdominal swelling
• cause confusion

If you think you or your child have taken too much paracetamol get help right away. This is because your liver can be damaged even before you notice any symptoms.

Paracetamol for children comes in different strengths for babies, young children and older children. Always follow the dose instructions on the bottle or packet based on your child's weight. Ask your pharmacist or child health nurse if you are not sure how much to give.

Benzodiazepines

Taking too much benzodiazepine medicine, like diazepam and temazepam, can make you very sleepy, confused, dizzy and breathe more slowly. In serious cases, it can make you lose consciousness and lead to dangerous breathing problems.

The chance of harm from benzodiazepines is higher if you take them with:

• alcohol
• opioids
• some over-the-counter medicines

Diabetes medicines

If you are living with diabetes, taking too much insulin or other diabetes medicines can cause hypoglycaemia (your blood sugar level to drop too low). This can develop into a serious situation.

If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor or diabetes educator about what to do if this happens.

Iron

Iron supplements come as liquids, capsules or tablets. Many multivitamins taken by adults also have iron. You can buy iron supplements without a prescription. They come in containers that might be childproof or might not.

Taking too much iron can cause harm and it can sometimes be serious. The symptoms of iron poisoning may include:

• tummy pain
• nausea or vomiting

If a person swallows a lot of iron, it may also lead to organ failure.

These symptoms can happen straight away. But symptoms can start later. About 6 to 24 hours after the overdose, the symptoms might seem better. But without the right treatment, they can worsen again.

If you or someone you know has taken an overdose of iron, see your doctor or go to the emergency department.

Treatment of an overdose depends on the type of medicine taken.

Call the Poisons Information Centre, visit the emergency department or ask your doctor what to do if you or someone you know has taken an accidental overdose of a medicine.

The Take Home Naloxone Program

Naloxone is a medicine that can stop the effects of an opioid overdose for a short time. The Take Home Naloxone Program is funded by the Australian Government. This program makes naloxone free and without a prescription to anyone who might experience or witness an opioid overdose.

Learn more about the Take Home Naloxone program (Opens in new tab).

Take medicines safely

Make sure you understand which medicines you're taking and how to take them. Always follow any instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.

Here are some tips on the safe use of medicines:

• Always read the medicine label and Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which medicines can be taken together, and which need to be taken at different times.
• Only take medicine that has been prescribed for you — never take someone else's medicine.
• Find out if it's safe to drink alcohol with the medicines you are taking.
• It's very important to store medicines correctly. Always keep medicines out of reach of children.

Other practical tips:

• Use a medicines list to keep track of which medicines you've taken, and how much you've taken — include prescription, non-prescription, over-the-counter, minerals, herbal and natural medicines.
• Ask your pharmacist about a medication organiser if you take multiple medicines — these have compartments for days of the week or times of the day.
• Always measure the medicine accurately — take special care when measuring medicine for children.
• Talk to your pharmacist about managing your medicines (Opens in new tab) safely, or to organise a Home Medicines Review.

Store medicines safely

You can help prevent an accidental overdose by keeping your medicines in a safe place:

• Keep medicines in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 metres above the ground.
• Store all medicines in their original containers.
• Make sure your medicines are clearly labelled.
• Return medicines to the storage area after use.
• Don't leave medicines out on a bench or counter, or in your bag where a child can reach them.

Dispose of medicines safely

Most medicines breakdown over time. Medicines become less effective or can even be harmful if they are taken after their expiry date. You can take your old and expired medicines back to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not flush medicines down the sink or toilet or put them in the rubbish. This can damage the environment.

You can call the Poisons Information Centre (Opens in new tab) on 13 11 26 for help with an accidental overdose. Read its tips for preventing accidental overdose in children (Opens in new tab).

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (Opens in new tab) can also provide information and support. Read its advice on using medicines safely (Opens in new tab) in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Vietnamese and Punjabi (Opens in new tab).

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline (Opens in new tab) is a free and confidential phone service that provides information and support to people who are concerned about alcohol or other drugs. Call 1800 250 015.