Common Drug Overdoses from Over the Counter (OTC) Medicines

The abuse of over the counter medications is a growing problem, with intentional and accidental overdoses increasing every year. Aside from the risk of people using these medications in an attempt to harem themselves, they may also simply take usually safe medicines in increasing amounts every day, those drugs build up in their systems causing the risk of injury or death.

Medications come in a bewildering variety and doses, and any misuse should receive medical care. The Poison Control Center provides a free, confidential service available to anyone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has the immediate care needed for any sort of medication or drug exposure. Their toll free number is 1-800-222-1222. Before calling you should attempt to obtain the age and weight of the victim, the name of the product, the amount and the time it was ingested. They may be able to provide you with treatments that could reverse the effects of the medication, or initial care before the victim can reach medical care.

Acetaminophen (also called Paracetamol, mainly in Europe) is the most common of all the over the counter, or OTC, medications used in overdoses, intentional or otherwise. It affects the liver, and will generally result in a slow, painful failure of the body's systems. Acetaminophen is the generic name for the medication found in Tylenol and as a secondary medication in some prescription narcotics and in a large number of forms and concentrations. If an overdose is suspected the bottle or bottle should be found and brought with to the hospital, if it does not cause a large delay.

Other than intentional overdoses, acetaminophen overdoses can happen accidently if the medicine comes from several different sources, or from something as simple as the victim's spouse switching to an extra strength dose, and the victim taking the same number of pills. Ingesting a dose as low as 4000mg in 24 hours can cause serious injury or death. As symptoms of the overdose don't appear for 12 hours, and may actually take longer. The victim may take more of the medication unaware that a toxic dose has already been ingested.

Symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose usually start with minor problems such as a loss of appetite and diarrhea. As the drug is processed by the body other symptoms begin to manifest, including nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin). Finally are coma and death, unless medical treatment has been received. Treatment received within 8 hours of the initial overdose will usually result in a good outcome for the victim. Notice this is before the onset of symptoms, one of the reasons this type of overdose is so dangerous.

Ibuprofen is in a class of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. It is found in Advil, Motrin and PediaProfen, as well as countless other medications, and also comes in different doses making an accidental overdose possible. If possible you should also obtain the bottle the medication came in. NSAIDs also come in prescription varieties, and if it was this strength the emergency personal and Poison Control should be made aware of it.

Symptoms of an NSAID overdose in nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, headaches and a ringing in the ears. Symptoms can worsen to abdominal pain, decreased urine, agitation and incoherent periods. Finally, this type of overdose will cause drowsiness, coma and death.

Treatment for NSAIDs is usually supportive, treating the symptoms as they develop, and limiting the absorption of the medication into the blood. If the victim received medical care soon after ingestion then the chances of recovery are very good.

Aspirin has been popular and common as a pain reliever for many years, and its effects on the blood have made it a common medication for people at risk for heart attacks. The active drug in aspirin is called acetylsalicylic acid, and is also found in OTC medications such as Alka Seltzer and Excedrin. Because aspirin is processed in the kidneys, impaired kidney function causes a residual dose of the medication to build up in the victim's system, even though no single large dose was taken. This is called a chronic overdose, and its symptoms are different than those of an acute overdose, where a single large dose is taken.

In an acute overdose, symptoms will include upset stomach and stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. The aspirin may cause an ulcer or irritation of the stomach called gastritis. In the case of a chronic overdose symptoms will include fatigue, confusion and a slight fever. The victim can also be confused, or simply collapse. If a large overdose of the medication is on the victim's system, the symptoms will be more serious, including seizures and coma.

Emergency care at a hospital will aim to limit the amount of aspirin absorbed in the blood, and reversing the effects of the acetylsalicylic acid. In extreme cases the victim may require hemodialysis to aid the kidneys in cleaning the blood; however the victim's outcome will probably be very good if they receive medical care soon after the ingestion. The major factor in survival is the time from ingestion to medical care at a hospital.

There are other medications in you medicine cabinet which can cause serious injury or death is misused. Always read the label and follow the directions listed, and remember to ask your doctor about interactions with other medications when they prescribe you something new.