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Warning-sign checks

Meperidine hydrochloride overdose: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services immediately if someone who may have taken meperidine:

    • Cannot be woken or does not respond normally
    • Is breathing slowly, irregularly, or not at all
    • Has blue, grey, or very pale lips or skin
    • Has a seizure, severe confusion, or marked muscle jerking
    • Develops high temperature, stiff muscles, or extreme agitation
    • Collapses or has a very weak pulse

    Call emergency services even if the person wakes up.

    Follow the dispatcher’s instructions, provide rescue breathing or CPR if trained, and give another naloxone dose if directed or if symptoms return.

    For slow or stopped breathing, unconsciousness, or seizures, call emergency services first.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after recovery to review medicines, kidney and liver health, pain care, mental health needs, and access to naloxone.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed

The article also says

Give naloxone if it is available.

Place a breathing but unconscious person on their side if this can be done safely.

Stay with them.

Do not give food, drink, stimulants like methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine , or a cold shower, and do not make them vomit.

In the United States, Poison Control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

Elsewhere, contact the local poison information service.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Meperidine hydrochloride overdose. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.