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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
The body can accumulate and become too high, making the effects of methadone toxic to an individual’s heart function and breathing. If methadone is given properly, it is given once a day, as the accumulation of doses can cause death.Three different systems in the body are generally affected during methadone overdose, including the central nervous system (CNS), the gastrointestinal system (GI), and the circulatory and respiratory systems.Central Nervous SystemThe central nervous system is just that: it is central to the body and is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS takes information from the whole body and helps communicate and delegate between the various parts of the body. During a methadone overdose, communications are disrupted, and an individual may feel drowsy, fatigued, or experience confusion or disorientation.Gastrointestinal SystemThe gastrointestinal system, often thought of as our digestive system, starts at your mouth and ends at your anus. The GI tract houses all the major digestive organs. These include the mouth, throat, esophagus, and intestines. The stomach, during a methadone overdose, is particularly impacted. You may notice, among others, stomach muscle spasms, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.Circulatory and Respiratory SystemsThe circulatory system, or vascular system, carries blood throughout the body. The heart, blood vessels, arteries, and veins are included in this system. The respiratory system is a collection of parts that help you breathe, including the lungs. Methadone significantly affects the circulatory and respiratory systems during a methadone overdose, causing major breathing and heart-related problems, such as stopped breathing or stopped heartbeat.What Are Methadone Overdose Symptoms and Signs?Methadone overdose impacts various parts of the body. Methadone overdose and overmedication symptoms include:1,3,4Constricted pupilsUpset stomach (e.g., constipation, nausea, vomiting)Lowered blood pressure or weak pulseBreathing problems (e.g., slow, labored, or shallow breathing)Confusion or disorientationDizzinessDrowsiness or fatigueAltered moodSlurred speechIntoxicated behaviorWeaknessMuscle twitchesComaCold, clammy skin or blue fingernails or lipsLimp bodyDifficulty wakingIf you are experiencing any of the symptoms above and have taken methadone, call 911 immediately. Call 800-994-1867 Get Help Now - Available 24/7 Who Answers? How Should You Respond to Methadone Overdose Symptoms?First and foremost, an individual who has overdosed on methadone needs immediate medical attention. You can respond to methadone overdose symptoms by calling 911 for help and stating, “someone is unresponsive and not breathing.”3If you can administer rescue breathing and chest compressions, this can significantly help the respiratory depression that occurs with methadone overdose.One of the most effective and immediate first aid services for methadone overdose is the administration of naloxone (Narcan). Administering naloxone to someone who has overdosed can prevent methadone-related deaths. Naloxone is an FDA-approved treatment for methadone overdose, as it helps reverse the respiratory depressant effects that can occur in a methadone overdose. Naloxone can be administered as a nasal spray, an auto-injectable, or as an injectable.3How Can You Reduce the Risk of Methadone Overdose?You can reduce the risk of methadone overdose by taking methadone precisely as prescribed. The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain recommends that methadone not be used as the first line of extended-release
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