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What to do if…
you develop new confusion or severe drowsiness after taking a new medicine

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

If the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened, call 911 now. Otherwise, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away and follow their instructions.

Do not do these things

  • Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that could be unsafe while you are confused or very drowsy.
  • Do not drink alcohol, use recreational drugs, or take extra sedating medicines while you are getting advice.
  • Do not guess whether to take, skip, stop, or repeat the next dose. Ask Poison Help, the prescriber, or a pharmacist what to do.
  • Do not stay alone if you may become difficult to wake.
  • Do not eat or drink until Poison Help or emergency services says it is okay.

What to do now

  1. Call 911 now if there are emergency warning signs. Call if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, cannot be awakened, is becoming difficult to wake, or is rapidly getting worse.
  2. If there are no emergency warning signs, call Poison Help now at 1-800-222-1222. Tell them:
    • the new symptoms and when they started
    • the person’s age, approximate weight, and known health conditions, if available
    • the medicine name, strength, dose, and time taken
    • any other prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, alcohol, or recreational drugs taken
    • whether there may have been a double dose, a wrong pill, or a recent dose change
  3. Keep the medicine packaging nearby. Put the bottle, box, prescription label, and any other medicines taken where you can read them to Poison Help.
  4. Reduce the risk of a fall or injury. Sit or lie down somewhere safe. Ask someone to stay nearby when possible.
  5. If the person becomes difficult to wake but is breathing, call 911. Unless there may be a head, neck, or back injury, place them on their side while emergency help is coming.
  6. If an opioid medicine may be involved, or an unknown pill may contain an opioid, use naloxone as directed if it is available and call 911.
  7. Contact the prescriber or a pharmacist after the immediate safety call. Ask what to do about the next dose and whether an in-person assessment is needed.
  8. If a phone call is not practical and the person is alert enough to use it safely, the Poison Control online tool is another option.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide now whether to stop the medicine permanently or what to take instead.
  • You do not need to work out the cause by yourself while you feel impaired.
  • Reporting a possible side effect can wait until the immediate safety issue has been addressed.

Important reassurance

It is understandable to feel alarmed by sudden confusion or heavy drowsiness. You do not need to work out what is causing it before asking for help; prompt guidance is the safest next step.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Decisions about restarting, stopping, tapering, or changing a medicine may need help from a prescriber, pharmacist, or another healthcare professional.

Important note

This is general information, not medical diagnosis or personal medical advice. If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or you are not sure the person can stay safe, call 911.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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