A lethal dose for a non-tolerant adult could be as little as 25 mg (less if taken with alcohol or benzodiazepines). In children, if untreated as little as 10 mg can be fatal. Most opioid addicts have experienced an overdose and many have witnessed it in others.

What are lethal limits?

Lethal limits, as defined here, arise from externally induced perturbations of one or more homeostatic variables which, if sufficiently prolonged, result in death. These limits for a given homeostatic variable may, or may not, vary with body size.

What is a lethal effect?

This toxicity can be acute, causing the rapid death of organisms exposed to oil by contact or ingestion, or causing serious disturbance to their basic functions.