Sleeping Pill Overdose

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 for patients suffering from insomnia to identify and treat the underlying cause as a first line of defense. Sleeping pills may be part of that treatment. 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

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?

• Amitriptyline
• Estazolam
• Eszopiclone
• Nortriptyline
• Ramelteon
• Trazodone
• Triazolam
• Temazepam
• Zaleplon
• ZolpidemMayo: What's right for you?

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)

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

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.