Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping pills are used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders by interacting with the central nervous system. While they can be effective in the short term, they also carry risks, including the possibility of overdose and death. Sleeping pills such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines can be addictive, and taking more than the prescribed dose or combining them with other substances can increase the risk of overdose. Overdose symptoms include slowed breathing, unresponsiveness, severe drowsiness, and confusion, and can lead to respiratory failure and death. Accidental overdoses can occur due to misuse, accidental ingestion, or combining sleeping pills with other drugs, including alcohol. It is important to take sleeping pills only as prescribed and be aware of their potential dangers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of use | The more often sleeping pills are taken, the higher the risk of overdose. |
| Dosage | Taking a higher dose than prescribed increases the risk of overdose. |
| Mixing with other drugs | Combining sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol increases the risk of overdose. |
| Age | Older adults are at a greater risk of overdose from sleeping pills due to decreased drug metabolism rates. |
| Addiction | Prolonged use of sleeping pills can lead to addiction and increase the risk of overdose. |
| Withdrawal | Stopping or reducing the dose of sleeping pills can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can be life-threatening in the case of benzodiazepines. |
| Type of sleeping pill | Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are among the main causes of sleeping pill overdose deaths. |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pill overdose
Sleeping pills are a common intervention for insomnia and other sleep disorders. They are also known as sleep medicines, tranquilizers, and sleep aids. They facilitate the onset of sleep and help maintain sleep throughout the night. Sleeping pills are available over the counter (OTC), as natural supplements, or by prescription.
An overdose of sleeping pills occurs when an individual ingests a quantity of medication that surpasses the prescribed or safe limit. This leads to severe adverse effects or life-threatening situations. Overdoses can vary in severity depending on the type of sleeping pill and the individual’s physiology. Factors contributing to sleeping pill overdose include body weight, tolerance, and concurrent use of other substances.
The physical signs of a sleeping pill overdose include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing trouble, and clumsiness. Other symptoms of a sleeping pill overdose include slowed breathing, unresponsiveness, severe drowsiness, and confusion. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediate medical intervention is necessary. Flumazenil is often used to counter the effects of a sleeping pill overdose, as well as removal with a stomach pump.
It is important to note that even a small increase in dosage can lead to an overdose in some individuals, particularly when other risk factors are present. An overdose is not always the result of an individual’s actions. It can also stem from a lack of understanding about the medication’s potency, incorrect dosing, or the body’s decreased ability to metabolize the drug effectively.
To prevent an overdose, it is important to follow prescribed dosages, avoid mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or drugs, and store medication securely.
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Accidental overdose
An accidental overdose can occur when an individual takes more than the recommended dose of sleeping pills. This may happen when a person becomes dependent on sleeping pills, but over time, they become 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 accidental overdose from sleeping pills due to decreased drug metabolism rates.
The signs and symptoms of an accidental sleeping pill overdose can manifest both physically and psychologically. Physically, an overdose may present as extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, clumsiness, slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, confusion, and loss of coordination. Psychologically, there may be unanticipated behaviours or actions, such as sleepwalking or even sleep-driving.
If an accidental overdose is suspected, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Early treatment can help individuals recover from a sleeping pill overdose. Healthcare professionals can provide life-saving interventions, such as administering a reversal agent, supportive care, or medication-assisted treatment.
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Mixing sleeping pills with other drugs
Sleeping pills are medications that can help treat insomnia and other sleep disorders by making you feel drowsy and relaxed. They are available over the counter (OTC), as natural supplements, or by prescription. However, it is important to note that sleeping pills should not be used long-term due to their potential side effects and risk of dependence and addiction.
Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol can greatly increase the risk of overdose. Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, clumsiness, and even death. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), drug overdose deaths have been consistently rising since 1999, with sedative drugs, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines (common sleeping pills), being among the main causes.
It is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and avoid mixing sleeping pills with other medications or alcohol. If you are taking prescription sleeping pills, be sure to inform your healthcare provider about any other medications or supplements you are currently using to avoid potentially harmful interactions.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to sleeping pills, alcohol, or other substances, seek professional help immediately. Treatment options are available, including inpatient and outpatient programs, detox, and behavioral therapy approaches. It is important to address polysubstance addiction under the care of a physician to ensure a safe and effective recovery process.
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Addiction and withdrawal
Sleeping pills are both physically and psychologically addictive. People who abuse sleeping pills can easily become dependent on them—sometimes after only a few weeks. An addiction to sleeping pills can be challenging to break because the user's body becomes reliant on them to function. If they quit taking sleeping pills, they will experience withdrawal as their body tries to readjust.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur when people abruptly stop using sleeping pills or sedatives. Depending on the specific drug, symptoms can start within a few hours, but they may also start later—sometimes even weeks after stopping the drug. Typical withdrawal symptoms include trouble sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, shivering, circulation problems, and dizziness. These symptoms are similar to those the sedative was originally meant to alleviate. This may create a vicious cycle, as many people start using sleeping pills or sedatives again to relieve these symptoms. To avoid such relapses, it is crucial to keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum when stopping the medication. This is why it is common to gradually reduce the dose over several weeks before stopping the medication entirely.
During medical detox, doctors monitor individuals in withdrawal to check vital signs and address any potential health concerns. Medical detox is always the safest way to detox from sleeping pills or any other addictive drug. Users with multiple addictions and/or co-occurring mental health problems may also go through a more complicated withdrawal process. Those with co-occurring disorders may require a longer stay in medical detox.
The best way to stop taking sleeping pills or sedatives is to gradually reduce the dose under medical supervision. Psychological or therapeutic support can also help.
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Treatment and prevention
- If you or someone close to you is experiencing suicidal thoughts or tendencies, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
- If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, turn the person into the coma position with the body face down, the head turned to one side, and one knee bent slightly.
- Check the person’s airway to make sure they can breathe regularly and 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, informing them that the person is in cardiac arrest. Show the medics any empty bottles or packets of pills that the person may have consumed.
- Flumazenil is often used to counter the effects of a sleeping pill overdose, as well as removal with a stomach pump.
- If you are addicted to sleeping pills, you may experience cravings and difficulty falling asleep without them. Seeking help is one of the most important steps.
- It is dangerous to stop taking hypnotics abruptly, so medical detox at substance abuse treatment centres can help you safely overcome your addiction.
- The first step is a gradual reduction of the drug to prevent seizures. Anticonvulsant medications are effective in benzodiazepine withdrawal if the person is not dependent on other drugs.
- Residential treatment facilities are important for people who have a severe addiction, have tried to quit previously and relapsed, or don't have a supportive home environment.
- To prevent addiction, it is recommended to only use sleeping pills in the short term.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take any OTC sleeping aids.
- People aged 65 and older should try non-drug treatments first because there may be safer ways to improve sleep.
- If you are experiencing insomnia, a provider may prescribe a short-term sleep aid. However, you should first try to address the root cause of your insomnia and make behavioural changes to improve your sleep.
- To prevent addiction, it is important to be aware of the side effects of abruptly discontinuing sleeping pills. The best way to treat insomnia is to create good sleep hygiene habits, learn to fall asleep naturally, gradually taper off sleeping pills, and follow a systematic treatment plan with a specialist.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to overdose on sleeping pills. This can happen when a person takes 60–90 times the intended dose or combines sleeping pills with other drugs.
An overdose of sleeping pills can slow down body functions to the point of causing unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death. Symptoms of overdose include slowed breathing, unresponsiveness, severe drowsiness, and confusion.
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 and wait for help. Flumazenil is often used to counter the effects of a sleeping pill overdose.
