Overview
Here you will find important information for individuals supporting a loved one through the experience of ingesting EOLOA medications.
What to expect
Common signs and symptoms of dying:
- People who take EOLOA medications typically fall into a deep sleep within 10 minutes of administration, followed by coma, respiratory depression, and death shortly thereafter. Typically, death occurs within two to five hours of ingestion. The dying experience can happen very quickly. It's important to prepare loved ones for this, as it can be different from other dying experiences.
- While in a coma, the person will still be breathing. After taking EOLOA medications, people commonly exhibit symptoms of dying that don't cause them to suffer but can be startling for loved ones to witness. These include deep gasping breaths, gurgling sounds and changes in facial color to pale or blue.
- If you have any concerns while your loved one is going through this, call your hospice team or doctor for guidance.
Important steps after death:
- Loved ones should call the patient's hospice team and mortuary to notify them of death.
- Mortuaries typically send someone within 30 to 90 minutes of receiving this call, unless you've made other requests or arrangements.
- The hospice team can provide bereavement support for loved ones, as needed.