Addiction Drug Use What Is Drug Toxicity? By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 10, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD LinkedIn Twitter Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Toxicity refers to how poisonous or harmful a substance can be. In pharmacology, drug toxicity occurs when a person has accumulated too much of a prescription drug in their bloodstream, leading to negative effects. Drug toxicity is formally defined as "a diverse array of adverse effects which are brought about through drug use at either therapeutic or non-therapeutic doses." Learn how drug toxicity occurs, the signs it may exist, and how drug toxicity is treated. Drug Toxicity vs. Drug Overdose Drug toxicity and drug overdose are often confused. One difference is that drug toxicity generally occurs over time, while drug overdose happens when too much of a substance is consumed at once. Drug toxicity is typically accidental, while drug overdose can be either accidental or intentional. Causes of Drug Toxicity Drug toxicity can occur as a result of the over-ingestion of medication, causing too much of the drug to be in a person's system at once. This can happen if the dose taken exceeds the prescribed amount, or if the prescribed dosage is too high. With certain medications, drug toxicity can also occur as an adverse drug reaction. In this case, the normal therapeutic dose of the drug can cause unintentional, harmful, and unwanted side effects. In some cases, the threshold between an effective dose and a toxic dose is very narrow. A therapeutic dose for one person might be toxic to another person. Plus, drugs with a longer half-life can build up in a person's bloodstream and increase over time, resulting in drug toxicity. Additionally, factors such as age, kidney function, and hydration can affect how quickly your body is able to clear a medication from your system. This is why medications such as lithium require frequent blood testing to track the levels in the bloodstream. Three factors determine the toxicity of a toxin or prescription drug. They are:Chemical structureHow much the body can absorbThe body's ability to detoxify and eliminate the substance Symptoms of Drug Toxicity How do you know if you or someone you know is experiencing drug toxicity effects? Drug toxicity symptoms can differ depending on the medication you are taking. In the case of lithium, for instance, mild symptoms of acute lithium toxicity (which is drug toxicity after taking the drug one time) can include: DiarrheaDizzinessNauseaStomach painsVomitingWeakness More severe symptoms of acute lithium toxicity may appear in the form of: Ataxia (poor muscle control, resulting in clumsy movements)ComaHand tremorsHeart problems (in rare cases)Muscle twitchesNystagmus (involuntary jerking of the eyeball)SeizuresSlurred speech Chronic lithium toxicity—or drug toxicity resulting from a slow build-up over time—displays different symptoms, including slurred speech, tremors, and increased reflexes. Tegretol (carbamazepine) is a drug often prescribed for epilepsy but also used to help treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Some patients with carbamazepine toxicity have experienced symptoms including: Blurred visionDizzinessNystagmusTrouble walking In cases of severe carbamazepine toxicity, symptoms can include: Altered levels of consciousnessComaSeizures This is why it is important to read medication labels carefully. Also, ask your healthcare provider about the signs and symptoms of drug toxicity for any medication that you are taking, since they can differ from drug to drug. Diagnosis of Drug Toxicity Acute drug toxicity is more easily diagnosed as the symptoms follow the taking of the medication just one time. Blood tests can also screen for levels of the medication in the bloodstream, showing whether these levels are too high. Chronic drug toxicity, or drug toxicity that occurs due to long-term build-up, is harder to identify. Stopping the medication, then "re-challenging" it later is one method of testing whether the symptoms are caused by the medicine. This method can be problematic, however, if the medication is essential and doesn't have an equivalent substitute. Treatment of Drug Toxicity There are several ways drug toxicity may be treated. If the toxicity results from an acute overdose, a person may undergo stomach pumping to remove drugs that have not yet been absorbed. Activated charcoal is another drug toxicity treatment option. It can be used to bind the drug, preventing it from being absorbed into the blood. (If this approach is used, the drug is eliminated from the body through stool). Other medications may also be given as an antidote for drug toxicity. If you believe that you or someone else has symptoms of drug toxicity or overdose, contact medical services immediately. Quick treatment can result in fewer complications. 6 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Dasgupta M. Neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and drug toxicity – a review. Adv Clin Toxicol. 2018;3(1):000S1-001. Silakari O, Singh PK. ADMET tools: Prediction and assessment of chemical ADMET properties of NCEs. In: Concepts and Experimental Protocols of Modelling and Informatics in Drug Design. Elsevier; 2021:299-320. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-820546-4.00014-3 Schulz M, Iwersen-Bergmann S, Andresen H, Schmoldt A. Therapeutic and toxic blood concentrations of nearly 1,000 drugs and other xenobiotics. Crit Care. 2012;16(4):R136. doi:10.1186/cc11441 Department of Labor and Industries. Understanding toxic substances. Purdue University. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Lithium carbonate capsule. Wirfs L, Whitworth K, Kellar J. Nystagmus associated with carbamazepine toxicity. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2017;1(4):441-442. doi:10.5811/cpcem.2017.6.34772 By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Get Treatment for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.