What Does an Opioid Overdose Look Like?
The first step in responding to an opioid overdose is recognizing what it looks like. Signs that someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose include:
- Blue or purple fingernails and lips
- Breathing is slow or absent
- Deep snoring or gurgling sound (death rattle)
- No response to stimulation, like loud calls, shaking, or sternal rub (rubbing the knuckles of a closed fist to the center part of a person’s chest)
- Pale, clammy skin
- Pinpoint-sized pupils
- Slow heart beat or pulse
Call 911
If you suspect an opioid overdose, call 911 and get emergency medical assistance immediately.
Learn More
View a printable brochure about Recognizing and Responding to an Opioid Overdose (PDF) from the Illinois Department of Human Services.