Emergency room - taking too much medicine, or stopping medicines

I have taken too much medicine

For most medicines that are used for mental health problems, you could get very serious symptoms if you take more than it said on your medicine label.

If you have taken more medicine than it said on your label, go to a hospital now, with your medicine, and tell them what you have taken. If you have a friend or carer who can go with you, that is even better - they can help you if you get ill on the way.

If you have taken too much of your medicine and also had alcohol or street drugs, it is very important to be honest with the hospital staff. They can help you best if they know exactly what you have taken.

Phone 999 if you have no way of getting to the hospital yourself, or if your symptoms are making it difficult for you to think or move.

I have stopped taking my medicine

For most medicines that are used for mental health problems, it is not a good idea to stop them suddenly. Most of these medicines change the balance of chemicals in the brain to get the effect you need. This means that stopping the medicine will change that balance again.

Sometimes you might forget to take a dose, and that would not usually cause a problem if you start taking it again.

But if you miss a day or two, or you miss getting a long-acting injection, you could start getting uncomfortable and unwanted symptoms. They could be new ‘withdrawal’ symptoms, or your old ones breaking through again.

If you have already stopped taking your medicines, and you are now worried about BC symptoms that you are getting, then go to a hospital with your medicine and tell them how long it has been since you took your last dose.

Phone 999 if you have no way of getting to the hospital yourself, or if your symptoms are making it difficult for you to think or move.

If you have run out of your medicine, go to your nearest pharmacy. They may be able to give you an ‘emergency supply’. Take your medicine box with you to show what you need. You may have to pay for the supply. You could phone them before you go, to check. You can find out more about emergency supplies here. 

If you are thinking of stopping your medicines, do not do it on your own - you need to go and see your doctor to make sure you do it as safely as possible.