Evie Summers
Sleeping pills are designed to aid sleep and are generally safe when used as prescribed. However, it is possible to overdose on them, especially if you take more than the recommended dose or combine them with other substances like alcohol or opioids, which amplify their effects. Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants, slowing down brain activity to induce sleep, but taking too many can lead to serious health complications. An overdose on sleeping pills can cause excessive sleepiness, memory loss, slowed or stopped breathing, confusion, and even death. If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, call emergency services immediately and try to keep them awake and talking until help arrives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of overdose | Yes |
| Possibility of death | Yes |
| Reasons for overdose | Taking more than the prescribed dose, combining with other drugs or alcohol, accidentally doubling up the dose, developing a dependence, addiction, or misuse |
| Symptoms | Extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, slowed or shallow breathing, clumsiness, confusion, delirium, disorientation, loss of consciousness, coma, memory loss, strange behaviour, sleepwalking, sleep driving |
| Treatment | Call 911, keep the person awake and talking, place them in the recovery position if unconscious, use Flumazenil, remove the drug with a stomach pump |
| Prevention | Use only as directed by a healthcare provider, do not mix medicines without medical advice, seek help for substance misuse |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants
Sleeping pills are typically used for the short-term treatment of insomnia or other sleep disorders. They can be highly effective in treating sleep issues and are often prescribed as tranquilizers or sleeping pills to relieve anxiety. However, they can also be addictive and are typically recommended for short-term use only.
As central nervous system depressants, sleeping pills slow down signals from the brain, reducing overall brain activity. This can lead to slowed breathing and a lowered heart rate, which is why overdosing on sleeping pills can be dangerous and even fatal. When taken in higher doses than recommended, sleeping pills can cause respiratory arrest, where breathing stops, leading to death.
It is important to note that the risk of overdose increases when sleeping pills are combined with other substances, such as alcohol or other sedatives. Additionally, older adults are more susceptible to the effects of sleeping pills, and the drowsiness caused by these pills can last into the following day, increasing the risk of accidents.
While sleeping pills can be beneficial for treating insomnia, they should be used with caution and only as directed by a healthcare professional.
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Overdose symptoms and what to do
Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to death. The symptoms of a sleeping pill overdose are similar to those of an alcohol overdose, as both are central nervous system depressants. When a person overdoses, the drug can begin to affect involuntary functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Other symptoms include:
- Bluish tinge to the lips, fingers, and skin (cyanosis)
- Excessive sleepiness
- Memory loss
- Strange behaviour
- Extreme lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing trouble
- Clumsiness
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Blurred vision
- Inability to urinate
- Increased body temperature
If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, call 911 immediately. Keep the person awake and talking if possible until help arrives. If the person is unconscious, place them in the recovery position—on their side, with one leg forward of the other—and wait for help. As sleeping pills can be addictive, it is important to seek treatment if you or someone you know is abusing them.
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Addiction and withdrawal
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help people sleep. They are typically prescribed for insomnia, sleep apnea, and poor sleep patterns resulting from severe anxiety and PTSD. While they can be effective in the short term, they are potentially addictive and can cause issues with memory and attention. The two main kinds of sedatives are barbiturates and benzodiazepines, both of which are potentially addictive and may lead to overdose, especially when taken in excess or combined with other substances.
Addiction
The risk of addiction is greater when a person takes more than the prescribed dose or combines sleeping pills with other substances like opioids or alcohol. However, dependence and addiction can also occur when people take their medication exactly as prescribed. People with a history of substance abuse or mental health disorders are at a higher risk for addiction and overdose. Additionally, the longer an individual takes sleeping pills, the more the body adjusts to their presence, leading to tolerance and the need for higher doses.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person reduces their dose or stops taking the medication. These symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, and seizures in extreme cases. Around 60% of people who take benzodiazepines for longer than six months experience mild withdrawal symptoms, while 40% experience moderate to severe symptoms. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening, so it is crucial to stop taking them under medical supervision. Inpatient detox, partial hospitalization, and outpatient treatment are options for managing withdrawal and supporting recovery.
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Mixing sleeping pills with other substances
Sleeping pills are classified as "sedative hypnotics," a type of drug that helps people fall asleep or stay asleep. They work by depressing the CNS, slowing down brain activity, and inducing drowsiness. When combined with other CNS depressants, the effects are compounded, leading to an increased risk of respiratory depression, slowed heart rate, and other serious health complications.
Alcohol, for instance, should never be mixed with sleeping pills. Even small amounts of alcohol can interact with certain sedative medications, resulting in over-sedation, confusion, dizziness, fainting, slowed heart rate, and breathing difficulties. These symptoms can be life-threatening, especially when an individual takes higher doses of sleeping pills than recommended.
Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with opioids or other sedatives can be deadly. The combined depressant effects on the CNS can lead to respiratory arrest, where breathing stops, resulting in death. This risk is further elevated when individuals take higher-than-prescribed doses of sleeping pills or misuse these medications.
It is also important to note that mixing sleeping pills with other substances can increase the likelihood of addiction and substance use disorders. Seeking help from a healthcare professional or a rehab facility is crucial when dealing with co-occurring addictions or dependencies on sleeping pills and other substances.
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Suicide attempts and accidental overdoses
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help people rest. An overdose occurs when someone takes more than the recommended dose of sleep medication. It is possible to overdose on sleeping pills, and it can be fatal.
Some people who overdose on sleeping pills only experience mild symptoms, such as excessive sleepiness, memory loss, or strange behaviour. However, in some cases, a sleeping pill overdose can be deadly. For instance, it can cause brain injury from a lack of oxygen due to depressed breathing. Other physical signs of a sleeping pill overdose include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing trouble, and clumsiness.
Accidental overdoses of sleeping pills, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines, often occur when the drugs are mixed with alcohol or opioids. Accidental overdoses can also happen if a person becomes dependent on sleeping pills but over time becomes less responsive to the drug. In a desperate attempt to get sleep, they may end up taking too many. Older adults are at a greater risk of overdose from sleeping pills due to decreased drug metabolism rates.
Sleeping pills can also be intentionally used for suicide attempts. Individuals with serious depression may especially overdose on sleeping pills or mix them with other drugs or alcohol. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or tendencies, immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to overdose on sleeping pills in general. An overdose occurs when someone takes more than the recommended dose of sleep medication. However, the number of pills that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person, depending on factors such as body weight, age, and overall health.
Signs of a sleeping pill overdose include slowed or shallow breathing, clumsiness or loss of coordination, confusion or delirium, and unconsciousness or coma. In severe cases, the person might stop breathing entirely.
If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, call 911 immediately and keep the person awake and talking if possible until help arrives. If the person is unconscious, place them in the recovery position—on their side, with one leg forward of the other—and wait for help.
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help induce sleep. They are typically used for the short-term treatment of insomnia or sleep disorders. Sleeping pills can be addictive and should only be used as directed by a doctor.
