Poisons are chemicals or substances that, if taken or absorbed into the body in sufficient quantities, can cause temporary or permanent damage. The effects will be different depending on the type, quantity, and combination of drug taken, as well as how the person has taken it, such as swallowing, inhaling, or injecting.
Signs and symptoms
If someone has been poisoned by anaesthetic like ketamine, they may have:
hallucinations
shallow breathing
drowsiness
If someone has been poisoned by narcotics like codeine, morphine, heroin, and marijuana, they may have:
small pupils
sluggishness
confusion
slow, shallow breathing which may stop altogether
nausea and vomiting
headaches
needle marks which may be infected
unresponsiveness
If someone has been poisoned by nervous system depressants and tranquilisers, including alcohol and sedatives, they may have:
shallow breathing
weak, irregular, or abnormally slow or fast pulse (palpitations)
lethargy and sleepiness, leading to unresponsiveness
If someone has been poisoned by aspirin, they may have:
ringing in the ears
'sighing' when breathing
upper abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, and vomiting
dizziness
If someone has been poisoned by paracetamol, they may have:
little effect at first
abdominal pain or cramping, nausea and vomiting
irreversible liver damage
If someone has been poisoned by solvents like glue or lighter fuel, they may have:
hallucinations
unresponsiveness
(rarely) cardiac arrest
If someone has been poisoned by stimulants and hallucinogens like ecstasy, LSD, amphetamines, and cocaine, they may have:
excitable, hyperactive behaviour
sweating
tremor of hands
facial grimacing and gurning
hallucinations
dilated pupils
increased appetite as the effects of the substance start to ease
