Save a Life from Prescription Opioid Overdose

What happens during an opioid overdose

Death from an opioid overdose happens when too much of the drug overwhelms the brain and interrupts the body's natural drive to breathe. During an overdose, breathing can be dangerously slowed or stopped, causing brain damage or death. It's important to recognize the signs and act fast. Signs include:

• Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
• Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Limp body
• Pale, blue, or cold skin

It may be hard to tell if a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren't sure, it's best to treat it like an overdose— you could save a life.

1. Administer an opioid overdose reversal medication such as naloxone (if available) and call 911.
2. Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
3. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
4. Stay with him or her until emergency workers arrive.

If prescribed opioids, practice responsible use

• Never take prescription opioids in greater amounts or more often than prescribed.
• Always let your doctor know about any side effects or concerns you may have about your medications.
• Avoid taking opioids with alcohol and other substances or medications. It is very dangerous to combine opioids with other drugs, especially those that cause drowsiness such as:
  • Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax® and Valium®)
  • Muscle relaxants (such as Soma® or Flexeril®)
  • Sleeping aids (such as Ambien® or Lunesta®)
  • Other prescription opioids

• Do not share or sell your prescription opioids.
• Keep medicines in a safe and secure place. Store opioids in a place that is locked, like a keyed medicine cabinet or drawer, to keep them secure from children, family, friends, and visitors.
• Properly discard expired or unused prescription opioids. Remove them from your home as soon as possible to reduce the chances of misuse. To get rid of prescription opioids and other medications safely:
  • Find a medicine take-back option near you: TakeBackDay.DEA.gov
  • If you cannot get to a drug take back location promptly, or there are none near you, most opioids can be flushed down the toilet.
  • Check with your pharmacist to see if you can return unused medication to the pharmacy.

Start a conversation with your doctor

Make sure you know all the risks and benefits of treatments and how to reduce the risk of opioid addiction and overdose.

• Talk with your doctor about setting goals for your pain management.
• Talk with your doctor about how to avoid addiction.
• Ask your doctor about non-opioid options for treating pain, including medications other than opioids as well as non-drug options, like exercise.
• Always let your doctor know about any side effects or concerns you may have.

Help a person who may be struggling with addiction

• If you or someone close to you needs help for a substance use disorder, talk to your doctor or call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP or go to SAMHSA's Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.
• Learn about naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered in time.
• Good Samaritan laws are in place in most states to protect those who are overdosing and anyone assisting them in an emergency from criminal penalties.
• Explore resources available to help with overdose prevention.