In today's society, taking medications for a variety of medical conditions, ailments or diseases is common. The administration of a myriad of drugs has become an everyday practice for most Americans.

While the intent of using most drug therapies is to alleviate a condition or improve an individual's quality of life, drugs can also have deadly effects. Drugs have the ability to produce a significant impact on the human body, depending on the manner in which they are used. Some drugs have the potential to damage specific organs or organ systems if taken inappropriately or in excess.

A drug overdose is generally described as a condition that is characterized by the excessive consumption of a particular drug that can either cause a mild adverse effect, brain damage, coma, permanent physical effects, or can lead to more severe outcomes such as death.

The symptoms of a drug overdose can vary depending on the drug that was ingested and the size/amount of the drug. The misuse and/or abuse of over-the-counter or prescriptions drugs is becoming a cause for concern as it relates to the growing prevalence of drug overdoses in the United States.

Prescription drugs are known to be associated with the largest percentage of deaths from overdoses, and the most commonly identified classes of drugs include opioids, narcotics, antidepressants or depressants. The immediate identification and treatment of a drug overdose can ultimately be the deciding factor between life and death.

Most drugs have the potential to be used for either for therapeutic or deadly purposes, but recognizing those high-alert drugs that have the potential to be used in overdose is critical. The symptoms of a drug overdose can be difficult to recognize at times without knowing whether an individual has ingested a particular drug within a specified time frame that can produce severe or deadly effects.

The most commonly observed signs or symptoms that can lead a provider to make the determination of a drug overdose can be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, an irregular heartbeat or chest pain to name a few. It is critical that a comprehensive assessment is performed in order to provide expedited treatment for a suspected overdose.

Drug overdoses can be classified as either accidental or intentional in nature. With an overdose, the increased levels of certain drugs can be detected in the blood. Acetaminophen and other drugs that require therapeutic drug monitoring have a narrow window between therapeutic and toxic effects.

The use of particular drug can be beyond the effect that can be associated with regular use. When identified, this can serve as an indicator for any provider who may suspect a drug overdose. The performance of a physical examination, specific drug level and manifestations of symptoms can help to determine if a drug overdose has occurred and subsequent treatment .

The treatment of a drug overdose can be dependent on the drug that was taken in overdose. Depending on the lethal nature of the drug, immediate action is necessary to remove the drug from the body or death can occur.

The stomach may need to be pumped to remove the drug that has not be absorbed. Activated charcoal is commonly used to reduce the amount of the drug that is absorbed into the system. Another drug called a catharthic can be used to remove the drug from the body through vomiting or through the bowels. The goal is to remove the offending agent from the system in order to return the individual to his/her condition prior to the ingestion of the drug.

The incidence of drug overdoses leading to death continues to rise, but death can be avoided through immediate identification of the signs and symptoms. Even though drug overdoses have the ability to cause death, knowledge about what constitutes a drug overdose and getting proper treatment can help to reduce these events.

Only through ongoing monitoring of administration patterns and ingestion can the trend of drug overdoses be dramatically reduced over time.