Signs of OVERDOSE, which often results in death if not treated, include:

 

• Extreme sleepiness inability to awaken verbally or upon sternal rub

• Breathing problems can range from slow to shallow breathing in a patient that cannot be awakened

• Fingernails or lips turning blue/purple

• Extremely small “pinpoint” pupils

• Slow heartbeat and/or low blood pressure

 

 

Signs of OVERMEDICATION, which may progress to overdose, include:

 

• Unusual sleepiness, drowsiness, or difficulty staying awake despite loud verbal stimulus or vigorous sternal rub

• Mental confusion, slurred speech, intoxicated behavior

• Slow or shallow breathing

• Extremely small “pinpoint” pupils; although normal size pupils do not exclude opioid overdose

• Slow heartbeat, low blood pressure

• Difficulty waking the person from sleep 

 

Because opioids depress respiratory function and breathing, one telltale sign of a person in a critical medical state is the “death rattle.” If a person emits a “death rattle” — an exhaled breath with a very distinct, labored sound coming from the throat — emergency resuscitation will be necessary immediately, as it almost always is a sign that the individual is near death.