Someone who overdoses on Actiq puts themselves in serious danger of deadly side effects. Therefore, it is extremely important to be aware of the symptoms of an overdose. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? today if you or someone you love is struggling with an Actiq addiction.
The Dangers of Actiq Overdose
Overdose deaths caused by synthetic opioids other than heroin have been on the rise for the past two years. Between 2013 and 2015, they increased from under one death per 100,000 population to over three by the same criteria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The reason for this rise is mostly due to fentanyl-based drugs like Actiq, a lozenge on a handle that contains the potent opioid drug.
Fentanyl is an especially strong drug, as it is only meant to treat individuals suffering from cancer who experience breakthrough pain in addition to pain that is already treated around-the-clock with another type of medication. Those who misuse Actiq by attempting to use the entire drug at once or to get high from the medication are putting themselves in serious danger of overdose and death. In fact, fentanyl is one of the deadliest opioids on the market.
Recognizing Actiq Overdose Symptoms
Because Actiq contains fentanyl, some individuals try to eat their lozenge extremely quickly or use other ways to ingest the medication as fast as possible so they can experience all the effects of the drug at once. This can result in a strong high, but it can also cause a deadly overdose.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the overdose symptoms caused by fentanyl include:
Confusion and nausea are common Actiq overdose symptoms.
- Extreme drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Slowed, shallow breathing or no breathing altogether
- Slowed heartbeat
- Very small pupils
- These are sometimes caused pinpoint pupils because the pupils will become as tiny as the head of a pin.
- Pale skin or skin that turns bluish at the fingers, nails, lips, etc.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Choking
- Seizures
- Coma
The individual will likely become unresponsive, and even shouting their name or shaking them violently may not wake them up. They are also more likely to experience an overdose more quickly and intensely if they have been drinking alcohol or using other drugs in addition to Actiq. When this occurs, it is absolutely vital that the individual gets help as soon as possible.
What Do I Do?
Call 911 right away. If the individual still has the lozenge in their mouth, take it out and make sure their airway is unobstructed. DO NOT make them throw up unless expressly told to do so by the 911 operator. Wait with the individual until the ambulance arrives, and try to be as specific as possible when explaining what happened to the paramedics (how much the individual used, how long ago, etc.).
Seek Help Today
If you are worried your or someone else’s Actiq abuse is a danger and could potentially lead to a deadly overdose, call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now to find the help you need.
