Benzodiezapines (Benzos): Signs of overdose and how to respond

What are benzodiazepines? 

Benzodiazepines are often prescribed to treat severe anxiety or insomnia, or to manage pain and seizures. They slow the central nervous system to produce a calming effect, but excessive use – or combining them with other depressant drugs – can cause serious or life-threatening harm. 

Fake or counterfeit benzodiazepines can closely resemble legitimate medicines and packaging but may contain unknown or unpredictable ingredients. 

Signs of a benzodiazepine overdose 

Using too much of any benzodiazepine can cause drowsiness, confusion or loss of coordination, increasing the risk of injury or overdose. 

The risk of overdose is much higher when benzodiazepines are mixed with other depressant drugs that slow the brain and body. Mixing benzodiazepines with opioids or alcohol is particularly dangerous, as all three affect breathing differently. Fatal benzodiazepine overdoses often involve other drugs. 

Signs of overdose may include: 

• Extreme drowsiness, dizziness or confusion 

• Slurred speech, lack of coordination or muscle control (spasms) 

• High anxiety, agitation, extreme mood swings or delusion/hallucinations 

• Unresponsive (but awake) 

• Loss of consciousness 

• Shallow or slowed breathing or pulse (heart rate) 

How to respond to a benzodiazepine overdose 

If you think someone has overdosed, taking action quickly may save their life. 

Before you act: Check for danger (sharp objects, chemicals, traffic, etc.). 

Try to wake the person by calling their name, squeezing their shoulder firmly, or rubbing knuckles firmly across the sternum (chest bone). 

• If the person is not responding but breathing: Place them in the recovery position, ensure their airway is open and continue monitoring their breathing and colour. 

Call an ambulance, follow operator instructions and stay on the line. 

Be prepared to give CPR if the person stops breathing before help arrives. 

If you think opioids may also have been used, you can use naloxone to reverse the opioid effects. 

Provide paramedics with as much information as possible, including what may have been taken, when it was taken and any known medical conditions. If you find packaging or bottles, give them to paramedics. 

Important: Naloxone (Narcan) will not reverse benzodiazepine overdose, but it will not cause harm if opioids may also be involved. 

What NOT to do 

• Do NOT allow the person to “sleep it off” – they may stop breathing. 

• Do NOT leave them alone – stay until an ambulance arrives. 

• Do NOT give medicine, food or drink. 

• Do NOT try to induce vomiting – they could choke. 

• Do NOT put them in a shower/bath or slap them to wake them up.