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Opioid intoxication

Definition

Opium and its forms (which include morphine, heroin, oxycodone, and the synthetic opioid narcotics) lead to an abnormal mental state, which generally involves excessive sleepiness or unconsciousness.

Symptoms depending on how much is taken. Persons who have opium intoxication usually have respiratory (breathing) depression and small pupils.

Severe opiod intoxication can cause you to stop breathing altogether. This is how people die from an overdose of opiods.

Alternative Names

Intoxication - opioids

Review Date:8/9/2007
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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