General medical words
What Does Overdose Mean on a Medicine Label?
Overdose · say it: OH-ver-dohsAlso written: OD, overdosage, taking too much
Short answer
An overdose means taking more of a medicine or substance than the body can safely handle, which can cause harmful or life-threatening effects.
What it means
An overdose happens when someone takes more of a medicine, or a combination of substances, than the body can safely process. It can be accidental, such as doubling up on two products with the same ingredient, or a child getting into medicine. A suspected overdose needs urgent help: call emergency services or a poison control center straight away, even if the person seems well, because some overdoses, such as with acetaminophen (paracetamol), cause harm before symptoms appear.
Labels have an 'Overdose' or 'Overdosage' section that lists what can happen and tells you to get medical help right away. Over-the-counter labels often say 'In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.' Opioid labels may mention naloxone, a medicine that can reverse opioid overdose.
Taking a dose slightly late or a little early is not usually an overdose, but if you are unsure, a pharmacist or poison center can advise.
Where you may see it
- The 'Overdose' or 'Overdosage' section of every prescribing label
- The 'Drug Facts' warnings on over-the-counter medicines
- Emergency department and poison center records
📄 How it looks on a report
In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Quick medical attention is critical even if you do not notice any signs or symptoms.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Feeling fine does not mean an overdose is harmless.
- An overdose is not always deliberate; most accidental ones come from doubling up or confusion about doses.
- It does not only apply to prescription medicines; over-the-counter medicines and supplements can be harmful too.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Overdose”
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💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Overdose”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Acetaminophen
A pain reliever and fever reducer
- Acyclovir
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue type, used against herpesviruses
- Albendazole
an anthelmintic drug, a medicine used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms
- Albuterol
A bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) of the beta-2 adrenergic type. The FDA class is not listed, so this description comes from the label's own wording.
- Alendronate
a bisphosphonate, a medicine that slows the breakdown of bone by blocking cells called osteoclasts
- Allopurinol
a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, a prescription medicine that acts on uric acid
- Alprazolam
a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system medicine
- Amitriptyline
An antidepressant of the tricyclic type
- Amlodipine
a calcium channel blocker, a type of medicine that relaxes blood vessels
- Amoxicillin
a penicillin-class antibacterial medicine that works against bacteria
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Overdose” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “overdose”
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.