The signs of cocaine overdose can include physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. 

1. Racing Heart Rate

A dramatic increase in heart rate is often one of the first signs of cocaine overdose. Common symptoms of this condition, which medical professionals refer to as tachycardia, can include lightheadedness, breathing difficulties, and loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, untreated tachycardia can lead to heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

2. Rapid Breathing

As we noted above, an increased heart rate due to cocaine overdose can cause a person to struggle to catch their breath. Cocaine toxicity has also been linked to the following respiratory conditions:

• Pulmonary edema: Buildup of fluid in the lungs, which can make it more difficult to breathe
• Pulmonary hemorrhage: Bleeding in the lungs, which can be life-threatening if not addressed
• Pulmonary barotrauma: Lung damage that is caused by a sudden change in air pressure 
• Pulmonary hypertension: Dangerously high blood pressure in the lungs

3. High Body Temperature

Slight increases in body temperature are a common effect of cocaine use. In the case of cocaine overdose, though, this increase can be substantial, leading to signs such as extreme thirst and excessive sweating. 

Hyperthermia, which is the medical term for dangerously high body temperature, can cause considerable damage to the heart and other organs.

4. Chest Pain

This type of cocaine-induced pain may indicate myocardial ischemia (insufficient blood flow to the heart) or myocardial infarction (heart attack). 

Cocaine use can also cause a narrowing of the arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body, as well as arterial thrombosis, which are clots that can prevent blood from flowing away from the heart. These effects, combined with increased heart rate, can be sources of chest pain.

5. Nausea and Vomiting

Insufficient blood flow can have a damaging effect on the digestive tract, including tissue death and small tears in the stomach and intestine. These effects can, in turn, lead to impaired functioning of the digestive system, which may cause nausea and vomiting.

6. Panic

Cocaine increases the activity of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, throughout the central nervous system, which can increase a person’s risk of anxiety, panic, and similar psychological reactions. 

When a person who is already prone to anxiety develops signs of cocaine overdose such as chest pain, racing heart rate, and lightheadedness, this could trigger an even greater release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with panic.

7. Agitation and Aggression

An agitated, aggressive response can be a behavioral effect of panic. This type of reaction can also be triggered by psychotic symptoms (such as hallucinations and delusions) that can be caused by both chronic cocaine use and cocaine overdose. 

Panic, agitation, and aggression can increase a person’s risk of accidentally injuring themselves or others. This underscores the importance of summoning a trained responder who has the experience to deal with someone who may aggressively or violently resist efforts to help them.  

8. Convulsions or Seizure

For someone who has epilepsy or another type of seizure disorder, cocaine use can be particularly dangerous. However, you don’t have to have a history of convulsions or seizures to experience them after using this drug. 

Cocaine interferes with the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response. This interference includes reducing the amount of stimulation a person’s system can handle before it is thrown into a seizure.

9. Loss of Consciousness

Anyone who exhibits any of the signs of cocaine overdose that we have discussed in this post is in crisis, and they need an emergency medical intervention. However, when people are with someone who has overdosed, they may not realize the gravity of the situation until the person experiences convulsions, seizures, or loss of consciousness. 

When a person receives effective treatment in a timely manner, they can survive a cocaine overdose. However, every delay in summoning help can reduce their chances of survival. 

Remember: You don’t have to wait until someone loses consciousness before you call 911 or otherwise summon a first responder. It is much better to call for help when you think it might be too early, instead of waiting until it’s too late.