Signs and Symptoms of a Drug Overdose

• Won't awaken when aroused
• Bluish purple skin tones for lighter skinned people and grayish or ashen tones for darker skinned people
• Slow, shallow, erratic, or absent breathing
• Loud snoring
• Gurgling or choking sounds
• Elevated body temperature
• Vomiting
• Irrational behavior or confusion

*Signs and symptoms of an overdose may differ depending upon the type of drug consumed.

• Allow the victim to "sleep it off."
• Put the victim in a bath or shower.
• Leave the victim alone.
• Treat the victim with home remedies - they do not work and often delay potentially life-saving medical treatment.
• Delay calling 911 to clean up the scene. 

Injury Prevention Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 N.E. 10th Street - Map to OSDH
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73117
Telephone: (405) 271-3430
Fax: (405) 271-2799