You are in Medical Library . The amount swallowed and the time before appropriate therapy is initiated usually determine the final outcome. Patients have died as late as 72 hours after an overdose ingestion. The sooner therapy is applied, the greater the chance of a positive outcome.
Recovery depends on the nature of the damage done by the overdose.
Survival past 2 weeks is usually a good sign. They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room. Administer activated charcoal.