Heroin is an illegal street drug that is is very addictive. This article discusses overdose due to heroin. An overdose is when you take more than the normal or recommended amount of something, usually a drug. An overdose may result in serious, harmful symptoms or death.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

• Heroin

Heroin is made from morphine. Morphine is a powerful drug, and it naturally occurs in the seedpods of Asian (opium) poppy plants. Street names for heroin include "junk," "smack," and "skag."

See also: Morphine overdose

• Airways and lungs
  • No breathing
  • Shallow breathing
  • Slow and difficult breathing
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Dry mouth
  • Extremely small pupils, sometimes as small as the head of a pin ("pinpoint pupils")
  • Tongue discoloration
• Heart and blood
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weak pulse
• Skin
  • Bluish-colored nails and lips
• Stomach and intestines
  • Constipation
  • Spasms of the stomach and intestinal tract
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Delirium
  • Disorientation
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle spasticity