Opiate overdose
- Diagnosis based on pin-point pupils, respiratory depression, drowsiness or coma
- Pupils may be dilated if the patient is hypothermic, hypotensive (e.g. secondary to opioids), hypoxic
- Convulsions and pulmonary ooedema may develop
- Therapeutic trail of IM naloxone ( short-acting and repeated doses/infusion required)
- In cases requiring multiple doses of naloxone (eg methadone OD), start an IV naloxone infusion at 1/3 the first hours requirements per hour.
