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Warning-sign checks

Meprobamate 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

    A suspected meprobamate overdose is an emergency, even if the person is still awake.

    Contact emergency services or a poison centre immediately.

    Have the medicine container available if you can do so safely.

    Call emergency services now if the person:

    • Cannot be awakened
    • Has slow, shallow, noisy, or irregular breathing
    • Has blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
    • Collapses, faints, or has a seizure
    • Is severely confused or unable to stand
    • May have taken meprobamate to harm themselves

    If they are not breathing normally, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you know how and follow the emergency call handler's instructions.

    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

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    New breathing difficulty, fainting, severe confusion, hallucinations, or seizures require urgent reassessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after the immediate poisoning has been treated.

    Arrange follow-up for continuing tiredness, medication dependence, withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, or concerns about future safety.

    And for anyone, someone who:

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

The article also says

Do not leave the person alone.

Do not give food, drink, coffee, charcoal, or another medicine.

Do not make them vomit.

If they are unconscious but breathing, place them on their side if it is safe to do so.

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