What Happens If I Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of oxazepam can be fatal if you take it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, or loss of consciousness.
What Are Signs Of A Melatonin Overdose
If you deal with insomnia, you might do anything for relief. Melatonin is a popular go-to sleep aid because its natural and has a low risk of unwanted side effects.
But while side effects are less common with melatonin compared with other sleep aids, you may experience a few if you overdose and take too much.
There dont appear to be any reports of people dying from overuse of melatonin. But while overuse might not cause death, it can cause a few of the below symptoms:
- Headache
Theres also the threat of rebound insomnia when theres too much of the hormone in your system. Melatonin may stop working after a while, and your sleep problems could even worsen.
How Can You Overdose On Sleeping Pills
Unfortunately, the misuse of sleeping pills or tranquilizers has led to thousands of Americans dying every year. While not as severe a problem as opioid overdoses, it is still a major issue and one that is becoming increasingly common as more and more sleeping pills are prescribed.
An overdose on sleeping pills occurs when someone takes more than the prescribed amount. This may be done intentionally or by accident, but the result is the same either way: Brain and lung function can be suppressed, resulting in death. Some sleeping pills, like barbiturates, are more likely to cause effects like this.
Newer sleeping pills tend to provide less of a risk for overdose and can even be less habit-forming. Overdose danger increases if a sleeping pill is taken with other drugs or alcohol as the substances may work together to have a variety of negative effects on someone.
The danger of overdosing on a sleeping pill increases with time. This is for many reasons. First, someone can become dependent on sleeping pills. This means that a person will need to take sleeping pills in order to sleep, and may be unable to sleep without them. It occurs as someones body chemistry changes in order to adapt to taking a medication consistently. This, of course, can be a problem, as no one should require medication in order to sleep.
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Sleep Aids And Sleeping Pill Overdose
Sleeping pills include any medication specifically intended to aid sleep. When correctly prescribed and used, sleeping pills can help certain people sleep better and lead a healthier lifestyle. However, they also come with harmful side effects, especially for regular users. Abusing sleeping pills can contribute to physical problems, mental health issues, and even fatal overdose. While a sleeping pill overdose is unlikely if you are following a doctors directions, its important to know the risks and combinations that can accidentally harm your health.
Sleep aids are available both over the counter and by prescription. Prescription sleeping pills tend to be more powerful than OTC supplements, and thus more likely to cause negative side effects. However, this doesnt mean that OTC pills are necessarily safe for everyone. Before taking any new medication, always consult a doctor and read dosing instructions carefully.
Some of the most popular sleep aids include melatonin, a common OTC supplement meant for short-term use, and Zolpidem , a stronger prescription sedative-hypnotic. Benzodiazepine sedatives are sometimes used for serious sleep problems, though most doctors are wary of prescribing them. Benzos are known to be extremely addictive, and are almost never meant to be taken long-term.
Risks From Improper Use
If you plan on taking an over-the-counter sleeping aid like an antihistamine, you should avoid engaging in any major activity inside or outside the house. Ideally, just hit the sack and get a good nights rest. The same applies to any sleeping pill, including those you have been prescribed. If you try and function normally while on a sleeping pill, you put yourself and others at risk of bodily harm. Operating machinery, driving, or even heading out after taking a sleeping pill is dangerous. If you are disoriented and groggy, you may be slow to react and may not have your wits about you. This is hazardous if youre, for instance, behind the wheel. You may also make poor judgment calls on little things like crossing the street or operating any equipment at home.17
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Deaths From Antihistamine Overdose
There have been reports of death due to antihistamine toxicity. These include accidental overdoses and intentional misuse.
Death can occur when an overdose causes severe complications such as respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, or seizures. Each persons tolerance to medication can vary. However, toxicity usually occurs when a person ingests three to five times the recommended dosage.
Medical emergency
To avoid life-threatening complications, call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have any symptom of an overdose. You can also call the Poison Control Help Line at 800-222-1222.
How To Tell If Someone Has Overdosed On Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be an effective means of treating depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders when used properly and taken in the prescribed doses. However, they can have side effects and be dangerous if taken incorrectly or used with alcohol or drugs. Some people may misuse or overdose on antidepressantsintentionally or notto increase the drugs’ effects or to commit suicide.
Overdoses are more commonly seen with older tricyclic antidepressants , although newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors can also be misused.
Learn the symptoms of antidepressant overdose so you can get assistance or help someone who has taken too much.
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Get Help For A Sleeping Pills Addiction And So Much More
An addiction to sleeping pills is an urgent situation in and of itself. Maybe it started taking OTC antihistamines such as Benadryl®. Then it advanced to the stronger stuff like Ambien® or Lunesta®. Pretty soon, you found yourself panicking when your prescription ran short.
Then you realized you could not quit taking sleeping pills to even function the next day at work. However, the solution to end your addiction you simply could not find. Often people in this situation begin taking alcohol as a sleep aidnever a good idea. Full-blown addiction to other drugs or alcohol is often never far away.
If you want to know how to stop taking sleeping pills or other mind-altering substances, Windward Ways addiction treatment program is here to give you the results youre after. Our counselors can start the process right now. Just call us at .
Ambien: A Dangerous Drug To Abuse
Despite its reputation as a relatively safe sleep aid, Ambien use has been linked to a number of potentially harmful effects. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , the number of Ambien-related emergencies in which a patient was brought to a hospital for adverse reactions due to the drug increased from 6,111 in 2005 to 19,487 in 2010. This dramatic change represents a 220% increase in Ambien-related emergency cases in just over 5 years 2.
Women are far more likely than men to experience adverse Ambien reactions. In 2010, women accounted for 68% of emergency room visits caused by Ambien. Most patients who experience problems with Ambien are over the age of 45. Though the Food and Drug Administration has advised doctors to prescribe it at half the regular dose for elderly patients, many patients over the age of 65 are still receiving full doses of the drug nearly 1/3 of the emergency room cases involving Ambien in 2010 were for a patient over the age of 65 years 2.
Serious medical problems occur when patients combine alcohol and other medications with Ambien. Approximately 50% of the Ambien-related emergency room cases in 2010 involved other drugs, including opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, and other sedative-hypnotic medications 2.
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How Can I Sleep Better Without Sleeping Pills
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective tool for improving sleep and curing insomnia. Behavioral changes often improve sleep without the need for medications.
You may want to:
- Avoid large meals and alcohol before bed.
- Cut back on caffeine, including coffee, sodas and chocolate, throughout the day and especially before bedtime.
- Relax with soothing music, a good book or meditation.
- Shut off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Stay physically active during the day. Try to get outside, if possible.
- Stick to a sleep schedule even on weekends.
- Turn your bedroom into a dark, quiet and cool sanctuary.
Increased Risk Of Dementia
Consuming benzodiazepines has been linked to elevated risk of Alzheimers disease type dementia. This has led researchers to suggest that long-term use of the drugs may need to be addressed as a public health concern. Excess risk is linked to consuming benzodiazepines as well as other similar drugs like anxiolytics and hypnotics for a period of greater than three months. Regulating how much you consume becomes especially critical if you are an older adult.15
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Overdosing On Sleep Medication Is A Big Problem
According to a recent survey, 69 percent of primary care patients complain of insomnia and other sleep issues. To solve the problem, doctors often prescribe sleeping pills or hypnotic medications. However, many people end up using these drugs for long stretches of time, unaware that the medications are only for short-term use. This destructive cycle has created a sleeping pill epidemic, with overdose numbers skyrocketing.
There are several sleep-inducing medications on the market today. They include benzodiazepines, antidepressants, melatonin-like drugs, or antihistamine drugs. However, one very common sleep medication, zolpidem, is in its own category.
Is 30 Mg Of Melatonin Too Much
There is no predefined safe dosage of Melatonin. Generally, safe dosage of melatonin for adults is between 1mg and 10mg. A 30 mg dose of Melatonin is too much. Low doses of melatonin can save you from the serious side effects of an overdose.
However, it depends from person to person while some people might be susceptible to the effect of melatonin, others wont.
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Using Narcan As Overdose Treatment
Narcan, also known by the generic name naloxone hydrochloride, is an opioid agonista medication that can help counteract the effects of opioid medications such as morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. This medication is given when an individual has taken too much medication and is experiencing the signs and symptoms of an overdose, which typically includes unconsciousness and breathing too slowly.
Narcan is an emergency medication, given to prevent death due to overdose, often by trained healthcare professionals. In some cases, a family member or loved one can also administer this medication if it is available. Due to changing laws in the United States, Narcan is more widely available than is typical for prescription medications. In some states, no prescription is required to obtain this medication at a pharmacy.
Can Ambien Cause Liver Damage
Ambien is primarily metabolized by the liver.15 While liver damage can be a side effect of Ambien, its rare. However, the FDA notes that patients with hepatic impairment, meaning the liver is unable to perform normal synthetic and metabolic functions, should take the lowest dose of Ambien.2 Those with liver cirrhosis and renal disease, conditions that also tend to reduce the bodys ability to eliminate Ambien, may require lower dosages as well.16
More Drugs That Dont Mix with Alcohol
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Facts About Taking Too Much Acetaminophen
Tylenol, the most popular brand name for the over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen, seems pretty safe. But before you pop more pills than directed, be aware that large doses of acetaminophen can lead to liver and kidney damage. In some cases, it can even be fatal.
That said, don’t throw your bottle of pain relievers in the trash. But make sure you never take more than a total of 4 grams of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period. You should also be aware of any other medication you take that may also contain acetaminophen.
The Risks Of Taking Sleeping Pills
Many drugs are available to treat insomnia, but their side effects can be risky. Find out about the dangers of sleeping pills.
On the surface, prescription sleep aids can seem like the perfect cure for insomnia: Take a pill, and a few minutes later you slip into a restful sleep. Though they do have legitimate uses, sleeping pills also come with significant risks and side effects, which many people dont realize, says Marc Leavey, MD, a doctor of internal medicine at MD Mercy Hospital in Baltimore. Theyre fairly safe and well-tolerated, Dr. Leavey says. But when you use them improperly, you can have problems. Before you turn to medication to help you sleep, read up on these possible problems with sleeping pills.
You Can Quickly Build Up a Tolerance
When you take prescription sleeping pills over a long period of time, your body grows accustomed to the drug, and you need higher and higher doses to get the same sleep-inducing effect. But, if you take a high enough dose, this could lead to depressed breathing while you sleep, which can cause death. To minimize your risk for this side effect, dont take sleeping pills for longer than a week or two. If you have a short-term sleep disorder a need to re-establish normal sleep patterns thats a clear reason to use these medications, Leavey says. You can have problems when you use them longer than 7 to 10 days.
Drowsy Driving
Erratic Behavior Side Effects
Falling Down
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How Effective Are Sleeping Pills
Studies show that sleeping pills arent that helpful in promoting a good nights rest. Most people who take sleep aids fall asleep about eight to 20 minutes faster than those without medicine. On average, you might get an additional 35 minutes of shuteye.
Generally, sleep aids should be for short-term use. They may be most helpful if a stressful life event, such as a divorce or death in the family, is keeping you awake.
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Zolpidem
Never use zolpidem in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity while not fully awake and later had no memory of it. If this happens to you, stop taking zolpidem and call your doctor right away.
Serious injury or death could occur if you walk or drive while you are not fully awake.
Do not take zolpidem if you have consumed alcohol during the day or just before bed.
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Why Narcan Is Used
The effects of too much of any opioid can be severe and life-threatening. Respiratory distress and respiratory failure, which mean the individual is too sedated to breathe enough to support the bodys need for oxygen, can lead to death. An overdose also causes unresponsiveness, will make the pupils contract until they are very small, can cause a decrease in blood pressure, and can cause death if the patient does not receive treatment quickly.
Narcan reverses the effects of opioids, which are drugs that are made from the poppy plant and are intended to be used to treat pain. It works on both prescription pain medications and illicit drugs, such as heroin. It does not work on other types of sedating medications.
How And When To Take It
Zolpidem tablets come in 2 different strengths 5mg and 10mg.
The usual dose is one 10mg tablet, taken 1 hour before you go to bed. If you’re over 65 years old, or if you have kidney or liver problems, the doctor may start you on a lower dose of 5mg.
Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew it. You can take zolpidem with or without food.
It’s important to follow the doctors advice when taking this medicine. They may ask you to take a tablet just 2 or 3 nights a week, instead of every night.
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Signs Of A Sleeping Pill Addiction
Addiction to sleeping pills does not occur as often as it does with other drugs, but it does happen. Addiction, meaning that someone must take sleeping pills in order to function and cannot simply stop taking them, is more common for older pills that produce euphoric side effects. This is very common with medication like tranquilizers or other benzodiazepines that often have sedative effects.
Signs of an addiction include:
- Continually increasing the dose of pills that you take
- Making attempts to quit taking the medication and failing
- Taking them for reasons other than to sleep
Sleeping pill withdrawal does not necessarily occur in the same way that withdrawal from other substances does. Individuals who experience sleep aid withdrawal may experience any number of symptoms, including:
- Total inability to sleep, or highly disrupted sleep
- Sweating
- Increase in blood pressure or heart rate
- Spikes in anxiety
- Cognitive difficulties or disorientation
However, abruptly stopping the use of sleeping aids may be extremely detrimental to someones health and sleep patterns. Instead, a preferred strategy is to gradually taper down the dosage of sedatives that a person takes at night, allowing their bodys chemistry to naturally return to equilibrium.
