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Warning-sign checks

Pentazocine 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 your local emergency number immediately if pentazocine overdose is suspected, especially if the person:

    • Cannot be woken or cannot stay awake
    • Is breathing slowly, irregularly, or not at all
    • Makes choking, gurgling, or unusual snoring sounds
    • Has blue, grey, or very pale lips or skin
    • Has a seizure or collapses

    Follow the product instructions and the emergency dispatcher’s guidance.

    If the person is not breathing normally, begin CPR or rescue breathing if instructed or trained.

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

    Stay with them until help arrives.

    If you are the person who may have taken too much and you are still awake, call emergency services or a poison centre and unlock the door for responders if you can do so safely.

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after emergency treatment to review medicines, pain care, substance use, or mental health needs.

    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 sleepiness, breathing difficulty, confusion, or fainting after discharge needs urgent reassessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    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.

Do not let someone “sleep it off.” Do not allow them to drive themselves to care.

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