Overdose Question?

Question

My roomate has taken 20 1mg ativans.
The paramedics refused to take her and we are worried sick.
Could this kill he or just make her sleep for a looong time?
Any advice is appreciated

Shes a nurse, as am I, they refused to take her because she told them she was just trying to sleep, not kill heself so they couldnt force a 72 hold on her. She will not go with me to the ER, I have begged her

FYI
Im a nurse, ativan is an antianxiety medication. Normal dosage is 0.5mg-1mg every 6 hrs so 20 mg is a huge dose, akin to taking 20 to 30 vicodins

her last B/P (blood pressure) was 100/62, pulse 14

Answer 1

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of a Ativan overdose include sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and unconsciousness.




What should I avoid while taking Ativan?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ativan will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
• Avoid alcohol while taking Ativan. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Ativan. Alcohol may also increase the risk of a seizure if Ativan is being taken for a seizure condition.
• Ativan may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.




What are the possible side effects of Ativan?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Ativan and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
· sores in the mouth or throat;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes;
· a rash;
· hallucinations or severe confusion; or
· changes in vision.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Ativan and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness;
· depression;
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
· difficulty urinating;
· vivid dreams;
· headache;
· dry mouth;
· decreased sex drive; or
· changes in behavior.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.




What other drugs will affect Ativan?
• Ativan may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.
• Antacids may decrease the effects of Ativan. Separate doses of an antacid and Ativan by several hours whenever possible.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ativan. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.




Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Ativan written for health professionals that you may read.


I POSTED THE LINK JUST IN CASE YOU NEEDED IT ALSO

Answer 2

Legally, a paramedic cannot force a person to go to the hospital if she is oriented to person, place, time, and event, and doesn't want to go. Some states can force a person to go if it is a suicide attempt, but you would need to get the police involved. As a nurse, I'm sure you understand this. I've had to allow people to refuse transport, when I KNOW medically they need to be seen, but if they are oriented and don't want to go, there is nothing I can do (except try my hardest to make them understand the consequences of refusal - usually, death).

Ativan (also known as lorazepam): From what I read, the usual dose is 2-6 mg, divided into daily smaller doses. The dosage range is 1-10 mg daily. 20 mg sounds like one heck of a lot! Symptoms of a lorazepam overdose include sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and unconsciousness.

You really need to worry about respiratory depression. If she stops breathing, or if her respirations slow to less than 10-12 a minute, you need to call the paramedics again. If she stops breathing, you will need to begin rescue breathing for her until they arrive.

If she is unconscious and can't be awakened with painful stimulus (such as a sternal rub) then you need to call the paramedics again. If she's not responsive, she can be treated and taken to the hospital under the context of implied consent.

If you think it was a suicide attempt, you need to get the police involved. They might be able to force her to go to the hospital. Otherwise, if she is oriented and doesn't want to go, then there is nothing you can do, unfortunately. It's her choice to be an idiot and take too much of her Ativan.

I don't know if that amount of Ativan will be enough to kill her or damage her organs, or if it will just put her to sleep for a while. It depends on her individual tolerance to the drug, her size, etc.

It might not be a bad idea to contact your local ER for advice. They may be able to talk to her and convince her to go get checked out.

Hope everything works out...

Edit: Pulse 14??? Let's just hope you wrote it wrong. If the pulse is 14, call 911 RIGHT NOW! That's not really conducive to life...

Answer 3

If I were you I'd call the poison control center and ask them. I do know that a friend of mine took 90 blue xanax and they said at ER it would only make her sleep a long time and did not pump her stomach but although both are anti anxiety they are different drugs.
Call poison control center look in phone book.

Answer 4

normal pulse is 50 - 100 per minute. Call the nurse line if you have one and they will fax a report to the closest ER and likely ask you to take her there or call an ambulance if they feel she is in danger.

Answer 5

Call Poison Control toll free in US 1 800 222 1222 now. follow their instructions.
14 pulse is extremely low ! Call 911 again if ANY worsening sx.
RN in Ca.
PS I'm sure you know your friend needs psych help as well.

Answer 6

I don't think that dosage would cause permanent damange, but of course, every person reacts differently. This was written 2 days ago, so I'm sure it's all been resolved now, in some form or fashion.

Answer 7

ativan is typically a drug used to induce sleep. it's used for insomnia.
so chances are she's just going to sleep for a long time because 20 mg. isn't a very high doseage.
but something deffinately could happen, maybe you should try to get her help somehow. because next time it could be something worse than just ativan ya know.

Answer 8

Why would the paramedics refuse to take her if she had taken 20 anti-depressants? Maybe she told them that she didn't? If you think that she really did, then you need to call 911 again.

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Answer 9

It could kill her if she has taken other drugs. It
could kill her even if it is the only thing she took.
Get her to an ER. I have never heard of paramedics
refusing to take a patient. Usually it's the patient who
does not want to go. Get her to an ER NOW

Answer 10

OKAY your a nurse and so am i. Pulse 14. That is not good for a young woman. Who cares if she dont want to go she needs to. If anything happened to her you would never forgive yourself. Check her pulse again and if its that low you NEED to take her in.