Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for an "accidental overdose." This means you took too much of a medicine without meaning to. Some medicines cause only minor problems if you take too much. Others can cause serious problems.
The doctors think it is safe for you to recover at home. Sometimes, symptoms of serious problems do not show up right away and instead happen days or even weeks later. Because of this, the doctor might have told you to have someone stay with you for some time to watch you. It is also important to follow up with your regular doctor.
You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.
●Be an active member of your health care team. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions you have about your medicines. Write down what they say so you can remember it later.
●Make sure you know why you take each medicine and how it helps you.
●Know the generic and brand names of all your medicines.
●Learn what each medicine looks like. If your medicine looks different when you get a refill, ask the pharmacist if you have the right one.
●Store medicines in a safe place after each use. Make sure children and pets cannot get to them.
●Take only medicines prescribed for you. Do not share medicines with other people.
●Always take your medicines exactly as instructed. Some tips to help:
•Read the prescription label on the medicine container carefully. Also read the patient information that comes in the package.
•For medicines you take daily, take them at the same time every day.
•Create a routine for taking your medicines. This helps you remember to take them. Make this part of your normal daily activities.
•Use a daily or weekly pill box or blister pack to organize your medicines. These make it easier to know what medicines to take when.
•Create reminders so you don't forget to take your medicine. You can do this using a calendar, smartphone app, or digital watch.
•Do not skip doses, change doses, or take extra medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
•Turn on the lights when you take medicines. This helps make sure you are alert and are taking the correct medicine at the correct dose.
When should I get emergency help?
●Someone should call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
•Have severe trouble breathing, have slow or shallow breathing, or stop breathing
•Get very confused or have trouble speaking
•Cannot stop falling asleep, have trouble waking up, or cannot be woken up
•Have a seizure
•Have bad chest or belly pain
•Vomit blood, or have a large amount of blood (more than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) in your bowel movements or urine
●Return to the ED if you:
•Have mild shortness of breath
•Feel like your heart is beating very fast or slow
•Have very dark urine, or do not urinate for longer than 8 hours
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
●Feel very weak or tired
●Have new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Acetaminophen poisoning (The Basics)
Patient education: Medication safety (The Basics)
Patient education: Why taking your medicine as prescribed is important (The Basics)
