Treatment FAQ

what is the medical (pharmacological) treatment for cocaine overdose

by Mrs. Coralie Muller Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Treatment for Cocaine Overdose Many different types of treatment exist in a hospital setting if an individual has overdosed on cocaine. Most of the time, treatment will begin with the administration of benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines, sometimes called "benzos", are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. The first such drug, chlordiazepoxide, was discovered accidentally by Leo Sternbach in 1955, and made available in 19…

such as Valium or another sedative that can help to lower the heart rate and the blood pressure.

Full Answer

How do doctors treat a cocaine overdose?

It’s important to immediately seek medical treatment if you suffer any of the following effects of cocaine overdose after using even a small amount of this drug:

  • headache
  • hallucinations
  • delusions
  • paranoia
  • rapid heart rate
  • feeling like the heart is beating in your head
  • feeling like your head may explode
  • feeling like your heart is going to “beat out of it’s chest”
  • feeling very hot
  • feeling dehydrated and like you can’t get enough to drink

What to do at home for cocaine overdose?

Treatment for Acute Cocaine Overdose Symptoms

  • The doctors will treat the overdose in the same way a poisoning case is treated: by focusing on alleviating the symptoms and stabilizing the patient.
  • The individual will be monitored for their symptoms in the emergency department, and severe symptoms will be treated first. ...
  • Other symptoms will be monitored and treated as well. ...

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What are the signs of cocaine overdose?

Signs of a cocaine overdose include:

  • becoming unaware of surroundings
  • blue-colored skin
  • difficulty breathing
  • excessive sweating
  • loss of bladder control
  • irregular heart rhythm
  • quickened heartbeat
  • raised body temperature
  • rapid breathing
  • seizures

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What are the side effects of cocaine overdose?

Regular cocaine abuse, or a cocaine overdose, can cause a heart attack. A blockage of blood flow to the heart is what causes a heart attack. This is a common side effect of high level, prolonged abuse of cocaine as well as one-time overdose.

Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Overdose

Overdose severity depends on the purity and potency of the drug, how much a person takes/uses, and whether it is smoked, inhaled, injected, or taken orally.

How to Help a Person Experiencing a Cocaine Overdose

If you or a loved one are experiencing signs of a cocaine overdose, call 911 right away.

Risk Factors for Overdose

What is your addiction really costing you? Getting clean is within your reach. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is here to help.

Emergency Care for Cocaine Overdose

A cocaine overdose needs to be treated by trained medical personnel. Initial treatment for an overdose may include: 3, 4

Effects of Cocaine Addiction

Even when an overdose is not fatal, the effects of cocaine addiction can be devastating. The following are a few other potentially dangerous health effects from repeated cocaine use: 7, 11

Treatment and Recovery After a Cocaine Overdose

With prompt medical attention, cocaine overdose is survivable. But overdosing on cocaine is a strong indicator that a person may have a substance use disorder. To prevent another overdose and avoid the consequences of long-term drug dependence, you or a loved one may consider seeking treatment at an addiction treatment facility.

Find a Recovery Center

If you or a loved one is looking for treatment and recovery options, give our caring admissions navigators a call at (888) 319-2606 Helpline Information to learn more about American Addiction Centers’ facilities. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions.

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