Sleeping Pill Overdose

Categories: Health | Conditions and Treatments

  • A sleeping pill overdose occurs when one has ingested a hazardous amount of sleeping pills, or sedatives. This can have a toxic effect on the body. According to the University of Michigan, side effects of an overdose of sleeping pills can include difficulty breathing, slurred speech, fainting, and shock.University of Michigan: What is an overdose of sedatives?


    The Mayo Clinic website suggests that before a patient takes sleeping pills, they should seek medical advice from a doctor to avoid an overdose. The key, if you suffer from insomnia and need help, is to identify and treat the underlying cause of the insomnia as a first line of defense. Sleeping pills may be part of that treatment. Consulting with a doctor, however, is an absolute must - so you get the proper dosage.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleeping-pills/SL00010


    Many famous celebrities have passed away from sleeping pill overdoses, including Heath Ledger and Marilyn Monroe, highlighting the danger of pills commonly prescribed by physicians.http://www.pharmacytechs.net/blog/18-celebrities-who-died-from-prescription-drugs

  • Treatments for Possible Overdose

    If you are suffering from a potential sleeping pill overdose and are taken to a medical facility for treatment, there are several things doctors may do. Your stomach could be pumped to try and remove the drugs from your system. A doctor might choose to administer charcoal to neutralize the effects of the drugs. You may also be given IV fluids and, in extreme cases, if a doctor believes your kidney function has been compromised, you may be given dialysis.University of Michigan: What is an overdose of sedatives?

  • Sleeping Pill Types

  • Heath Ledger Sleeping Pill Overdose

    Heath Ledger was found unresponsive in January 2008 from an overdose of sleeping pills combined with the anti-anxiety medications Diazepam and Alprazolam. He was taken to the hospital and later declared dead.ABC News: Sleeping Pills, Anti-Anxiety Drugs Found at Scene (January 22, 2008)

  • Celebrities Who Have Died from Sleeping Pill Overdoses

    A number of celebrities have passed away from sleeping pill overdoses, some of which were accidental, and some that were not.


    Marilyn Monroe - In 1962, Marilyn Monroe passed away after consuming too much Pentobarbital and chloral hydrate.


    Jimi Hendrix - In 1970, Jimi Hendrix died at age 27 after taking Seconal sleeping pills.


    Anna Nicole Smith - In 2007, Anna Nicole passed away from a large combination of pills, including (and probably the most toxic of which was) chloral hydrate.


    Heath Ledger - In 2008, Ledger died from an overdose of a number of drugs, including sleeping pill temazepam.http://www.pharmacytechs.net/blog/18-celebrities-who-died-from-prescription-drugs

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