Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping pills are depressant medications that act on the central nervous system to slow down the body's functions and induce sleep. While modern sleeping pills are generally safer than their predecessors, it is still possible to overdose on them, especially if one takes more than the prescribed amount or combines them with other substances like opioids or alcohol. An overdose on sleeping pills can lead to serious health consequences, including brain injury, respiratory failure, and even death. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and consult a healthcare professional before taking any sleep aids.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lethargy | Excessive tiredness, drunk-like behavior, clumsiness |
| Unanticipated behaviors | Sleepwalking, eating, taking medication, talking, driving |
| Breathing irregularities | Slow or dysfunctional breathing, gasping for air, respiratory failure |
| Heart rate irregularities | |
| Bluish tinge to the lips, fingers, and skin (cyanosis) | |
| Brain injury | Lack of oxygen caused by depressed breathing |
| Physical injury | |
| Painful side effects | |
| Death |
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What You'll Learn
Potential for overdose and death
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants, slowing down brain activity to help people rest. Overuse of these drugs can slow bodily functions, causing unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death. As such, taking more than the recommended dose of sleeping pills can lead to overdose and death.
While modern sleeping pills are safer than their predecessors, death from sleeping pill overdose is still possible, especially when pills are taken with other substances. Mixing sleeping pills with opioids, alcohol, or other medications can increase the risk of overdose and death. For example, while a benzodiazepine overdose is rarely fatal on its own, it can be deadly when combined with opioids or alcohol. Similarly, an overdose on Lunesta typically only occurs when mixed with depressants like benzodiazepines or alcohol.
The risk of overdose and death is also greater when a person takes more than their prescribed dose. An overdose on sleeping pills can cause serious problems, including brain injury from a lack of oxygen caused by depressed breathing. Even doses as low as 70mg may cause damage to some people. Brain damage and physical injury can lead to painful side effects for life. Other symptoms of overdose include excessive lethargy, unanticipated behaviours or actions, and breathing irregularities.
If someone is displaying symptoms of a sleeping pill overdose, it is important to respond promptly as this can be life-saving. Call 911 or the local emergency services hotline. While waiting for medical help, check for signs and symptoms of overdose and try to keep the person awake. If the person is not breathing adequately, administer rescue breathing by tilting their head back, pinching their nose closed, and giving two slow breaths, followed by one breath every 5 seconds.
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Side effects like constipation, diarrhoea, and drowsiness
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help you rest. While modern sleeping pills are safer than their predecessors, it is still possible to overdose on them, especially if you take more than the prescribed amount or combine them with other substances like opioids or alcohol. An overdose on sleeping pills can lead to many outcomes, depending on the type of medication and dose. For example, while a benzodiazepine overdose is rarely fatal on its own, it can be deadly when mixed with opioids or alcohol.
When taking sleeping pills, it is essential to be aware of the potential side effects, such as constipation, diarrhoea, and drowsiness. These side effects can occur with both over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills. Constipation and diarrhoea are digestive problems that can be uncomfortable and disrupt your daily routine. Drowsiness, or next-day drowsiness, can impact your ability to function during the day and may lead to excessive lethargy. While drowsiness is a common side effect of sleeping pills, excessive lethargy can be a sign of something more serious, especially if it leads to unanticipated behaviours or actions.
The risk of side effects and overdose is higher when sleeping pills are taken more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed. Additionally, combining sleeping pills with other substances can increase the risk of adverse effects. It is important to take sleeping pills only as prescribed and be aware of any potential interactions with other medications or substances. If you experience constipation, diarrhoea, or drowsiness after taking sleeping pills, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider for guidance and to discuss alternative treatment options.
Sleeping pills can also cause muscle weakness and digestive problems, including gas and heartburn. They may worsen snoring and sleep apnea, and prolonged use can lead to rebound insomnia, where your insomnia returns worse than before. Sleeping pills can also induce parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder characterised by complex sleep behaviours such as sleepwalking, eating, or even driving while asleep. These behaviours can be dangerous, and it is important to be aware of them when taking sleeping pills.
Overall, while sleeping pills can be effective in treating insomnia and other sleep disorders, it is crucial to use them cautiously and only as directed by a healthcare professional. The potential side effects of constipation, diarrhoea, and drowsiness, as well as more serious risks such as overdose and parasomnia, highlight the importance of informed and careful use of sleeping pills.
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Withdrawal symptoms and dependence
While modern sleeping pills are safer than their predecessors, death from an overdose is still possible. Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help people rest. As such, an overdose can slow body functions to the point of causing unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death. An overdose may be a deliberate suicide attempt, but not all attempts succeed as vomiting is common when the drug is taken in excess.
Sleeping pills can also lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Dependence can develop quickly, especially if they are used for too long or at too high a dose. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when people suddenly stop using sleeping pills, and these symptoms can be distressing and severe. They include anxiety, sweating, tremors, and sleep disturbances. In some cases, withdrawal can even be life-threatening.
To manage the risk of dependence, medical professionals may recommend tapering off the medication gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Psychological or therapeutic support can also help with this process. It is important to detox under the care of a medical professional who can monitor your condition and give you the support you need to get through the process safely.
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 24 to 72 hours after the last dose and peak between four to ten days. They can also start later—sometimes even weeks after you stop taking the drug. Symptoms can then persist for several weeks and are influenced by factors such as age, gender, dosage, and duration of use.
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Unanticipated behaviours and actions
Taking more than the recommended dose of sleeping pills can lead to unanticipated behaviours and actions. Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity and help people rest. However, taking too many pills can cause excessive lethargy, leading to clumsiness and mistakes. People may act differently and exhibit drunk-like behaviour.
In addition, sleeping pills can cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals engage in dangerous behaviours while mostly asleep. People taking sleeping pills may sleepwalk, eat, take medications, talk, or even drive without being aware of their actions. This can result in unintentional harm to oneself or others.
Furthermore, an overdose of sleeping pills can affect involuntary functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Slow or dysfunctional breathing may indicate an overdose, and in severe cases, respiratory failure can occur. It is crucial to monitor breathing and provide rescue breathing or CPR if necessary.
Additionally, the combination of sleeping pills with other substances, such as opioids, alcohol, or other medications, can increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Mixing sleeping pills with depressants or alcohol can be especially dangerous and may lead to fatal overdoses. Therefore, it is essential to follow the prescribed dosage and avoid combining sleeping pills with other substances.
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Breathing difficulties
While sleeping pills can be effective in treating insomnia, they can also cause several side effects, including breathing difficulties. Sleeping pills work by relaxing the mind and body, but this relaxation can interfere with normal breathing, especially in individuals with certain health conditions.
People with asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a higher risk of experiencing breathing difficulties due to the relaxing effects of sleeping pills. The interference with normal breathing can be dangerous and even life-threatening in some cases. Combining sleeping pills with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, can further enhance sedation and lead to slowed breathing or even death.
Additionally, sleeping pills can cause parasomnias, which are complex sleep behaviours such as sleep eating, making phone calls, or sleep driving. While rare, these behaviours can be challenging to detect, and the individual may not be fully aware of their actions. These parasomnias can potentially lead to dangerous situations if they involve operating machinery or performing tasks that require full attention and alertness.
It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking sleeping pills, especially for individuals with existing health conditions, to ensure they are safe and do not adversely affect breathing or other aspects of health.
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Frequently asked questions
Taking more than the recommended dose of sleeping pills can lead to an overdose. This can cause mild side effects such as dizziness and nausea, but it can also be deadly. If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, call 911 immediately.
Signs of a sleeping pill overdose include excessive lethargy, unanticipated behaviours or actions, and breathing irregularities. Other signs include a bluish tinge to the lips, fingers, and skin (cyanosis), and slow or dysfunctional breathing.
If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, the first step is to call 911 or your local emergency services hotline. While waiting for medical help to arrive, check for signs and symptoms of an overdose and try to keep the person awake. If the person is not breathing adequately, and you are trained, provide rescue breathing by tilting their head back, pinching their nose closed, and giving two slow breaths followed by one breath every 5 seconds.
To prevent a sleeping pill overdose, it is important to take sleeping pills only as prescribed. Do not take a higher dose than prescribed or take the pills more frequently than prescribed. Additionally, avoid combining sleeping pills with other substances such as opioids, alcohol, or other medications, as this can increase the risk of an overdose.
