Colin Snow
Sleeping pills can be a helpful way to get a good night's rest and overcome insomnia. However, they also come with risks, including the possibility of overdose. While overdose is unlikely if you follow your doctor's instructions, it is still important to be aware of the combinations and risks that may harm your health. Mixing sleeping pills with other substances like opioids or alcohol can increase the risk of overdose and enhance the pills' depressive effects on the body. Overdose symptoms include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, trouble breathing, and clumsiness. If you or someone you know has overdosed on sleeping pills, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of overdose | Yes |
| Risk factors | Taking a higher dose than prescribed, taking pills more often than prescribed, combining with other substances like opioids or alcohol, addiction, dependence, withdrawal |
| Symptoms | Similar to alcohol overdose: slowing of brain function, affecting voluntary functions like clumsiness, then involuntary functions like breathing and heart rate, bluish tinge to lips, fingers and skin |
| Treatment | Supportive care, activated charcoal, hemodialysis, whole bowel irrigation, rarely flumazenil, stomach pump |
| Prevention | Following instructions on medication, seeking professional help for addiction, detox, taking a short break from pills after a few days, monitoring for side effects |
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What You'll Learn
What are sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills are medications that can help treat sleep disorders, insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep. They are available over the counter (OTC) or by prescription, with prescription pills being stronger than OTC ones. OTC sleep aids often contain antihistamines, which can also cause drowsiness. Some people also take natural remedies like melatonin or valerian supplements to help them sleep. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body that promotes sleep. Valerian is an herb that supposedly aids relaxation and sleep.
Prescription sleeping pills are medications containing tranquilizers to treat insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. Many different types of sleeping pills are available, each with a unique chemical structure and pharmacological effect. Benzodiazepines (BZD) are a powerful class of sleeping pills that help people fall asleep, relieve anxiety, and improve learning and memory. They work by raising levels of brain GABA neurotransmitters, causing sleepiness and allowing people to sleep better. This class of medications includes alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam, available in short- and long-acting forms.
Non-benzodiazepine (Non-BZD) or Z-drugs are fast-acting sleeping pills that take effect 30 minutes after intake and can last up to 8 hours. They induce sleepiness, calm anxiety, and promote sound sleep without leaving you feeling groggy or lightheaded in the morning. This class of medications includes Zolpidem, Ambien, and Zopiclone. Melatonin is also a synthetic drug that mimics the natural hormone in the brain, helping to stimulate sleep onset and regulate the sleep cycle.
While sleeping pills can be effective in treating sleep disorders, it is important to be cautious when using them. There is a risk of developing a dependency on prescription sleep aids, and healthcare providers generally do not recommend their long-term use. Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with other substances, such as opioids or alcohol, can increase the risk of overdose and severe side effects. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any sleeping medication to ensure safe and effective use.
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What are the signs of a sleeping pill overdose?
Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to death. The signs of a sleeping pill overdose are similar to those of an alcohol overdose, as both are depressants. When someone overdoses, the slowing of brain function first affects the parts of the body that control voluntary functions. The drug may then begin to affect involuntary functions such as heart rate and breathing.
Some physical signs of a sleeping pill overdose include:
- Extreme lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing trouble
- Clumsiness
- Unanticipated behaviours or actions
- Bluish tinge to the lips, fingers, and skin (cyanosis)
Accidental overdoses can occur when someone takes too much of a sedative by mistake or combines it with other drugs that enhance the depressive effects of sleeping pills. Accidental overdoses can also happen if a person becomes dependent on sleeping pills but over time becomes less responsive to the drug, leading to an increased dosage. Older adults are at a greater risk of overdose from sleeping pills due to decreased drug metabolism rates.
In the UK, if you have overdose symptoms, you will likely need to speak to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or another mental health professional for an assessment. This can help ascertain if there are treatment options that could be implemented to prevent another overdose.
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How to treat a sleeping pill overdose
If you think someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, turn them into the coma position (face down, head turned to one side, and one knee bent) and check their airway to ensure it's clear and they're breathing regularly. Check for a pulse in the neck and wrist. If there isn't a pulse, start CPR, turn the person on their back, and call an ambulance. Show the medics any empty bottles or packets of pills that the person may have taken.
In a hospital, the treatment for a sleeping pill overdose may involve supportive care, where a doctor monitors the patient's breathing and cardiovascular system while the body works the drug out of its system. In some cases, activated charcoal, hemodialysis, or whole bowel irrigation may be used to treat an overdose. In rare cases, a doctor may administer flumazenil, which reverses sedation caused by benzodiazepines. However, due to the risk of seizure and heart rhythm disorders, the risks generally outweigh the benefits. If the overdose involves co-occurring opioid use, a medication called naloxone can be administered to reverse the opioid overdose.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sleeping pill misuse or addiction, there are treatment plans available that can help. Treatment for substance addiction often focuses on psychotherapy, but medications may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms. Types of therapy that may be recommended include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and group therapy. Support groups and 12-step programs can also be important sources of support and information.
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Risk factors for sleeping pill overdose
It is possible to overdose on sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help people rest. Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to death.
There are two types of sleeping pill overdose: accidental and intentional. Accidental overdoses can occur when someone takes too much of a sedative by mistake or combines sleeping pills with other drugs, such as opioids, that enhance their depressive effects. Older adults are at a greater risk of accidental overdose due to decreased drug metabolism rates. Accidental overdoses can also occur when a person becomes dependent on sleeping pills but over time becomes less responsive to the drug and takes an increasingly higher dose in a desperate attempt to get sleep.
Intentional overdoses occur when an individual takes an excessive amount of medication on purpose, usually due to experiencing suicidal thoughts.
There are several risk factors for sleeping pill overdose:
- Taking a higher dose than prescribed
- Taking pills more often than prescribed
- Combining sleeping pills with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids
- Taking sleeping pills unnecessarily, which can lead to addiction or dependence and increase the risk of overdose
- Taking sleeping pills for a long time without breaks
- Not following a doctor's instructions or advice
- Pre-existing medical conditions and allergies
- History of substance abuse
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Preventing sleeping pill overdose
Follow Prescribed Dosage
It is important to take sleeping pills only as prescribed by a medical professional. Taking a higher dose or more frequent doses than prescribed increases the risk of overdose. Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants, slowing down brain activity to induce sleep. As such, overdosing can lead to unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and even death.
Avoid Mixing Substances
Combining sleeping pills with other substances, such as opioids or alcohol, significantly increases the risk of overdose. Benzodiazepines, a common type of prescription sleeping pill, can be particularly dangerous when mixed with opioids. This combination has been associated with a high number of overdose deaths. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid mixing sleeping pills with other sedatives or substances.
Be Cautious with Over-the-Counter Pills
Over-the-counter sleeping pills or supplements should be used with caution. Always check with a healthcare provider before taking such medications, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving them to children. Melatonin, a common over-the-counter sleep aid, is generally considered safe, with no reported cases of overdose. However, taking excessive amounts of melatonin may cause side effects such as drowsiness and abdominal pain.
Seek Help for Addiction or Suicidal Thoughts
Sleeping pill overdose can be intentional, often associated with suicidal thoughts or tendencies. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation or struggling with addiction to sleeping pills, seek professional help immediately. Mental health professionals, psychiatrists, and psychologists can provide support and treatment options to prevent overdose and address underlying issues.
Safe Detox and Medical Supervision
If you have been using sleeping pills for an extended period, consult a healthcare provider before stopping their use. Detoxification from sleeping pills should be done safely and gradually under medical supervision to minimise withdrawal risks and prevent relapse.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to overdose on sleeping pills. Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to death.
Symptoms of a sleeping pill overdose include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, trouble breathing, clumsiness, and a bluish tinge to the lips, fingers, and skin (cyanosis). These symptoms are similar to those of an alcohol overdose.
If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, call emergency services immediately. Keep the person awake and talking if possible until help arrives. If the person is unconscious, place them in the recovery position and wait for help.
Sleeping pill overdoses are usually treated with supportive care, which involves monitoring the patient's breathing and cardiovascular system. In some cases, activated charcoal, hemodialysis, or whole bowel irrigation may be used. The medication flumazenil can be administered to reverse the effects of the overdose, but it carries risks and is not recommended for routine use.
To prevent a sleeping pill overdose, it is important to take sleeping pills only as prescribed by a doctor and to avoid taking a higher dose or taking pills more frequently than instructed. Avoid consuming alcohol or other substances, such as opioids, while taking sleeping pills, as this can increase the risk of an overdose.
