Drug overdose
1-minute read
Follow the links below to find trusted information about drug overdose.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: May 2018
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Drug overdose - Better Health Channel
Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Medicine or Drug Overdose | HealthEngine Blog
A drug overdose occurs after a person consumes too much of a drug, medication or poison. Overdose can occur accidentally when a person inadvertently takes the incorrect medication or dose, or when they intentionally misuse drugs to get high or with the intention of self-harming (e.g. committing suicide).
Read more on HealthEngine website
Fentanyl Side Effects, Overdose & Withdrawal | Your Room
Fentanyl is a prescription drug which can come with many short and long term side effects. Find out what to do in the case of overdose or withdrawal.
Read more on NSW Health website
GHB Effects, Overdose & Poisoning | Your Room
GHB comes with many short and long term side effects. Find out what to do in the case of overdose or poisoning and places to get help.
Read more on NSW Health website
6 lifesaving tips when taking medication - ADF - Alcohol & Drug Foundation
No medications are completely safe. The number of Australians overdosing on pharmaceutical drugs has now overtaken the road toll..
Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website
Effects of GHB - fantasy
Using GHB carries a high risk of overdose due to the small difference between the amount required to produce a 'high'and that which causes overdose.
Read more on myDr website
Overdose - ADF - Alcohol & Drug Foundation
Many people think this is the result of consuming too much of a drug. This is often the case. Combining drugs, and alcohol increases chances of overdosing..
Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website
Things to ask your GP - ADF - Alcohol & Drug Foundation
We have a problem in Australia with the over prescription of some medications, causing many of us unnecessary side effects including addiction and overdose
Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website
Cocaine: tolerance and dependence - myDr.com.au
After prolonged use, cocaine is highly addictive and with regular use, larger amounts of cocaine are needed to get the same effect.
Read more on myDr website
Cannabis: withdrawal and treatment - myDr.com.au
If a dependent person stops taking cannabis, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.
Read more on myDr website
Top results
Community use of naloxonefor opioid overdose | Issue 4 | Volume 40 | Australian Prescriber | Australian Prescriber
Will training laypeople in the use of naloxone reduce accidental opioid overdose deaths?
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Drug diversion | Issue 5 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
Prescription drug diversion has significant health, legal and social implications. Deaths from misuse of prescription drugs account for a significant...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Management of digoxin toxicity | Issue 1 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
Digoxin toxicity can emerge during long-term therapy for heart failure as well as after an overdose.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
The failure of drug prohibition and the future of drug law reform in Australia | Issue 5 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
If Australia starts moving from criminal to civil penalties for drugs, the thresholds for drug offences will need to be raised and the severity of criminal...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Managing osteoarthritis | Issue 4 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
Management of osteoarthritis should be based on a combination of non-drug and drug treatments targeted towards prevention, modifying risk and disease...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Dealing with drug-seeking behaviour | Issue 3 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
People who misuse prescription drugs most commonly seek prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines. Other...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Risk assessment of drug-induced QT prolongation | Issue 1 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
Drugs can cause prolongation of the QT interval, alone or in combination, potentially leading to fatal arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes. When...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Long-term drug treatment of patients with alcohol dependence | Issue 2 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
Drug therapy for alcohol dependence should only be used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan. Naltrexone and acamprosate have well established...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Prescribing and borderline personality disorder | Issue 2 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
The first-line management for borderline personality disorder is psychosocial treatment, not drugs.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Antihistamines and allergy | Australian Prescriber
There is now little role for sedating antihistamines in allergic conditions. Discover why they should be avoided.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
