If someone is not breathing or is unresponsive, and they have taken a medicine, seek help straight away. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

What is an accidental overdose of medicine?

Most medicines have risks as well as benefits. For example, some medicines can be addictive or cause side effects. Medicines are toxic if you take too much and can also be toxic if you take them at the same time as some other medicines. Taking too much of a medicine is known as an overdose.

The overdose is considered accidental if you take the medicine by mistake, you use the wrong medicine, or you take too much of a medicine by mistake. Accidental overdoses can also happen during medical or surgical procedures.

How can it happen?

You are more at risk of accidental overdose if one or more of the following applies to you:

• You are taking a combination of different medicines.
• You don't follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist properly.
• You take more than one medicine with the same active ingredient (for example, 2 cold and flu medicines might have different brand names but contain the same active ingredient, meaning you will take double the dose).
• The medicine is stronger than you thought (medicines with the same brand name come in different strengths, so it's always important to read the label, even if you have taken the medicine before).
• You use the wrong measuring device for the medicine, such as a tablespoon rather than a teaspoon.
• You forget how much medicine you've already taken.
• You mix medicine with alcohol.
• You don't calculate a child's dosage based on the child's weight correctly.
• You didn't store a medicine safely and a child accidentally swallowed or drank it.

Symptoms of overdose of medicine

The symptoms of a medicine overdose depend on the type of medicine. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if someone:

• is not breathing, or their breathing is shallow
• is snoring or gurgling
• has blue lips or fingertips
• has floppy arms and legs
• appears to be unresponsive
• appears to be disorientated
• can't be woken up

Take extra care with these medicines

Opioids

The most common cause of fatal accidental overdoses in Australia is opioids, such as the strong painkillers oxycodone and fentanyl. More people die from prescription opioid overdoses than from heroin overdoses. The risk is even higher if you are also taking alcohol, benzodiazepines such as diazepam and alprazolam, sedating antidepressants or anti-psychotics at the same time.

Paracetamol

The most common cause of people being hospitalised for accidental overdose is paracetamol. Taking too much paracetamol can lead to yellow eyes (jaundice), loss of coordination, low blood sugar, liver damage and death.

It's important to get medical help as quickly as possible if you think you have taken too much paracetamol, since the damage can occur even before you experience side effects.

Diabetes medication

If you have diabetes, taking too much insulin or other diabetes medicines can cause your blood sugar level to drop too low. This can develop into a serious situation if not addressed. If you think you have taken too much insulin, check your blood sugar level as soon as possible, and repeat frequently.

Overdose treatment

If someone has taken a medicine and is unresponsive, don't assume they are just asleep — an overdose is a medical emergency. If you are worried:

• Call triple zero (000).
• Call the Poisons Information Hotline on 13 11 26.
• Go to the nearest emergency department.
• Speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Tips to avoid accidental overdose of medicine

• Talk to your pharmacist to get help in managing your medicines safely, or to organise a Home Medicines Review.
• Talk to your doctor about gradually reducing the amount and number of medicines you are taking.
• Always follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.
• Always read the label and CMI leaflet.
• Always measure the medicine accurately.
• Avoid mixing medicines with alcohol.
• Only take medicine that has been prescribed for you — never try someone else's medicine.
• Make sure you understand what you can and can't do while you are taking the medicine.
• Store medicines correctly and always keep medicines out of the reach of children.