Methadone overdose.

Gary L · 17-10-2010, 17:12

What happens if someone's on an infusion thing and instead of 3.5 they are given 35mg of methadone. and this lasted an hour before the person with the buzzing head attracted someones attention?

**Hugh** · 17-10-2010, 17:19

Why do you ask?

TheDaddy · 17-10-2010, 17:23

You sure they have taken to much 3.5 ml is the same as 35 mg. The first symptom if an overdose is extreme drowsiness

Gary L · 17-10-2010, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Why do you ask?

I may let you know later.

---------- Post added at 17:35 ---------- Previous post was at 17:32 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

You sure they have taken to much 3.5 ml is the same as 35 mg. The first symptom if an overdose is extreme drowsiness

It was too much. it was supposed to be 3.5 whatever but was mistaken for 35. and as I said was an hour before the mistake was noticed.
could have gone on for about another 30 mins probably.

**Stuart** · 17-10-2010, 17:44

Gary, if you suspect someone has taken an overdose, are you sure that posting it on a forum is a better option than (say) taking them to the local A&E?

**Hugh** · 17-10-2010, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

I may let you know later.

I don't ask out of idle curiousity, I ask because the circumstances may colour the answer - for instance, were they on self-administration or by the medical staff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

It was too much. it was supposed to be 3.5 whatever but was mistaken for 35. and as I said was an hour before the mistake was noticed.
could have gone on for about another 30 mins probably.

Was the infusion at 35ml per hour, fifteen minutes, or what? Or was it the amount of methadone in the infusion 35ml?

Gary L · 17-10-2010, 17:51

They already are in hospital. it was a nurse that gave the overdose.

I just want to know if it's serious or not. such as lasting effects.

**Derek** · 17-10-2010, 17:52

Opiate overdose?

Lethargy, nausea, vomiting, depressed breathing and possible unconsiousness then death. Aside from that if its caught early enough then there shouldn't really be any long term effects.

Either way if there is any doubt at all its best to speak to a medical professional and not some internet forum.

Gary L · 17-10-2010, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek

Opiate overdose?

Lethargy, nausea, vomiting, depressed breathing and possible unconsiousness then death. Aside from that if its caught early enough then there shouldn't really be any long term effects.

Thanks.

Quote:

Either way if there is any doubt at all its best to speak to a medical professional and not some internet forum.

No harm asking on here.

**Stuart** · 17-10-2010, 18:08

There is if it delays seeking help from a medical professional.

Gary L · 17-10-2010, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

I don't ask out of idle curiousity, I ask because the circumstances may colour the answer - for instance, were they on self-administration or by the medical staff.

It was administered by medical staff. the patient couldn't reach the buzzer, and was screaming for about 30 mins before anyone noticed.

Quote:

Was the infusion at 35ml per hour, fifteen minutes, or what? Or was it the amount of methadone in the infusion 35ml?

I don't know. I just know that it was 3.5 mistaken for 35.

---------- Post added at 18:10 ---------- Previous post was at 18:09 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

There is if it delays seeking help from a medical professional.

I've already told you Stuart. it happened in a hospital.

**Stuart** · 17-10-2010, 18:11

Sorry, didn't see that.

Matty_ · 17-10-2010, 18:18

Shouldn`t be any lasting effects but the person needs to be closely monitored for at least the next 24 hours. The opiate contained in methadone binds to the receptors for a very long time (for an opiate) but if this is just a one off there shouldn`t be any habitual side effects.
The effects can be reversed using Naloxone/Naltrexone but this could be unwise if the patient has been on a course of methadone for a period of time.

Good luck, i hope all turns out fine.

p.s. Did you know methadone was `invented` by the nazis during the second world war. There were quite a few opiate users amongst the high command who didn`t wan`t to go cold turkey due to lack of poppy derived opiate so a synthetic product was cooked up by german scientists..!

PeteLockwood · 17-10-2010, 18:35

you may find this innapropriate if you will however GOOD... hopefully 1 LESS SMACKHEAD us honest people have to support

Gary L · 17-10-2010, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty_

Shouldn`t be any lasting effects but the person needs to be closely monitored for at least the next 24 hours. The opiate contained in methadone binds to the receptors for a very long time (for an opiate) but if this is just a one off there shouldn`t be any habitual side effects.
The effects can be reversed using Naloxone/Naltrexone but this could be unwise if the patient has been on a course of methadone for a period of time.

Good luck, i hope all turns out fine.

Thanks Matty.

---------- Post added at 19:08 ---------- Previous post was at 19:05 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteL

you may find this innapropriate if you will however GOOD... hopefully 1 LESS SMACKHEAD us honest people have to support

That's a bit of an assumption there. she's not a smackhead. she's in there for her foot. methadone is for the pain she gets from the nerves.

I'll let her know how disappointed you are that she didn't die, though.