Drug Overdose - Infographic

Drug overdose involves the ingestion of prescription drugs or illegal drugs or both in quantities greater than the recommended amount. An Overdose may be accidental or intentional. In 2013, 43,982 drug overdose deaths were reported in the United States out of which 22,767 was due to overdose of prescription drugs and 16,235 was due to overdose of opioids.

Some of the common drugs that need treatment due to drug overdose include Diazepam, Diazepam with alcohol, Aspirin, Paracetamol, Alcohol with sleeping tablets, Methadone and Heroin . Prevention of drug overdose involves the use of child resistant caps in drug bottles, keeping the drugs safely in a locked cabinet and providing proper patient counseling and creating awareness about early and prompt treatment of the victim.