Overview
Acute opioid intoxication, also called opioid overdose or opioid poisoning, happens when someone has too much of an opioid drug in their body at one time. Opioids include prescription pain medicines like morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. When the dose is too high, opioids slow down the brain and nervous system to a dangerous level. The body can no longer breathe properly, and oxygen levels in the blood drop quickly. This is a life-threatening emergency that can cause permanent brain damage or death within minutes if not treated. The most dangerous effect of opioid overdose is slowed or stopped breathing. The person may become unconscious and unresponsive. Their lips or fingertips may turn blue from lack of oxygen. The pupils of the eyes become very small (pinpoint pupils), and the muscles go limp. This combination of signs — unconsciousness, slow breathing, and pinpoint pupils — is sometimes called the 'opioid overdose triad.' Fortunately, opioid overdose can be reversed quickly with a medicine called naloxone (brand name Narcan). Naloxone blocks opioids in the brain and can restore normal breathing within minutes. It is available as a nasal spray or injection and can be given by bystanders, family members, or emergency responders before the ambulance arrives. Getting naloxone and emergency medical care as fast as possible is the key to survival and preventing lasting harm.
Key symptoms:
Very slow, shallow, or stopped breathingUnconsciousness or inability to wake upPinpoint (very small) pupilsLimp or unresponsive bodyBlue or grayish lips, fingertips, or skin (called cyanosis)Gurgling or choking sounds (sometimes called the 'death rattle')Pale, clammy, or cold skinSlow or irregular heartbeatConfusion or extreme drowsiness before losing consciousnessVomiting while unconscious (risk of choking)
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsUniversity of Pittsburgh — NA
University of Pittsburgh — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Acute opioid intoxication.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Acute opioid intoxication.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How do I get naloxone and learn how to use it correctly?,What are the signs that someone needs a second dose of naloxone?,What treatment options are available to reduce the risk of another overdose?,Is medication-assisted treatment like buprenorphine or methadone right for me or my loved one?,Are there local programs or support groups for people recovering from opioid overdose?,What should I do differently to stay safe if I am using opioids?,How do I talk to my family about what happened and how they can help?
Common questions about Acute opioid intoxication
What is Acute opioid intoxication?
Acute opioid intoxication, also called opioid overdose or opioid poisoning, happens when someone has too much of an opioid drug in their body at one time. Opioids include prescription pain medicines like morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. When the dose is too high, opioids slow down the brain and nervous system to a dangerous level. The body can no longer breathe properly, and oxygen levels in the blood drop quickly. This is a life-threatening emergency that can cause permanent brain damage or death within minutes if not treated. The most dan
Are there clinical trials for Acute opioid intoxication?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Acute opioid intoxication on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Acute opioid intoxication?
1 specialists and care centers treating Acute opioid intoxication are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.