Benzodiazepine Overdose

Mishandling benzodiazepine doses is a rampant problem. Some 9 percent of Americans admit to misusing one of these drugs at some point in their lives. Each and every instance of misuse is marred by the potential of ending in an overdose.

In 2013, close to 7,000 overdose deaths — 30 percent of all overdose casualties that year — were linked directly to benzodiazepine use.

The prospect of death is especially likely when mixing benzodiazepines with other depressants. Alcohol and opioids, in particular, have shown to be deadly bedfellows with benzos, producing an alarming respiratory suppressing effect. When combined in even the most meager amounts, the body begins to slow and shut down its vital systems.

Benzodiazepine overdose symptoms can emerge soon after. The below warning signs and symptoms are likely to pop up before or during an overdose episode:

• Breathing may be the first and most obvious symptom. Abnormal breathing is the byproduct of slowed respiration signals in the central nervous system caused by benzodiazepines. If breathing ceases entirely, contact 911 and perform CPR only if the individual has lost consciousness.
• Benzodiazepines slow the body to a creeping pace. When overdosing, an individual may claim they are sleepy or tired. It is best to help them fight the urge to pass out, as doing so only increases the danger of the fatal overdose. 
• Expect clumsiness to the point of what appears to be drunkenness. An overdose victim may be unable to control their fine motor skills whatsoever. This perceived clumsiness extends into speech as well. Slurred words and phrases are common during an overdose. This makes it nearly impossible for the victim to communicate what they’re feeling.
• Lightheadedness comes alongside disorientation. Never let a suspected overdose victim attempt to move around freely without support, as fainting may occur.   
• Victims may also exhibit a phenomena known as nystagmus, or a condition associated with erratic, uncontrollable eye movements.

Do you believe that you’ve positively identified a benzodiazepine overdose symptom in someone’s actions? Take action yourself. No symptom should be ignored; do not trust that you can diagnose the severity of a situation alone, seek out medical attention.

When calling 911, be as specific as possible. No amount of detail, however minor it may seem, should be excluded. For example, if you know the victim in question, provide particulars about their age, height, weight, and whether they were prescribed the medication or not. If the person is a stranger, give best estimates and an accurate account of the scene — such as what the pills look like, what the label reads — without putting yourself in danger.

Passersby are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to treatment, but any lifesaving help that can be provided before first responders arrive could turn an otherwise fatal overdose into a manageable one.

Benzodiazepine overdoses are different than other drugs. While opioid overdoses can be halted by the drug naloxone, this drug isn’t considered an outright remedy. With benzos on the other hand, these specific sedative overdoses have an actual reversal antidote: flumazenil. Physicians disagree on the application of this medication, as it is known to cause seizures from time to time, but in some cases, it’s simply the only option available to spare a life.