Herbie Murray
Sleeping pills are medicines designed to help people fall asleep or stay asleep, often used to treat insomnia. While they can be effective in the short term, they can also be addictive and dangerous, especially if taken in higher doses than prescribed. Combining sleeping pills with other substances, such as alcohol or certain medications, can lead to excessive drowsiness, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, seizures, coma, and even death. If you or someone you know has taken an excessive number of sleeping pills, such as six pills, it is important to seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services. Keep the person awake and talking if possible, and place them in the recovery position if they become unconscious. It is crucial to follow the directions provided by a healthcare professional when taking sleeping pills and to be aware of the potential risks associated with their use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Side effects | Constipation, Diarrhea, Muscle weakness, Digestive problems, Worsening of snoring and sleep apnea, Dependence, Withdrawal, Memory issues, Balance problems, Confusion, Depression, Anxiety, Liver dysfunction or failure |
| Overdose | Possible, especially if combined with other drugs that enhance depressive effects, such as opioids. May lead to death. |
| Treatment | Call 911 immediately. Keep the person awake and talking if possible. If unconscious, place them in the recovery position—on their side, with one leg forward of the other. |
| Prevention | Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Do not mix with alcohol or other sedatives. |
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What You'll Learn
Call emergency services
If you or someone you know has taken six sleeping pills, it is important to act quickly and calmly. Here are the steps you should take:
- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. It is crucial to get medical help as soon as possible.
- Provide the address or location where the person who took the sleeping pills is currently located. This will help the emergency services find you or the affected person.
- Share as much information as you can with the emergency services operator. Let them know that six sleeping pills have been taken. If possible, provide details about the type of sleeping pills taken, any other substances or medications involved, and the time that has elapsed since the pills were ingested.
- Follow the operator's instructions carefully. They will provide you with guidance and support until emergency medical assistance arrives.
- If the person who took the sleeping pills is conscious, keep them awake and talking. This can help prevent them from falling into a deeper level of unconsciousness.
- If the person becomes unconscious, place them in the recovery position. This involves laying them on their side with one leg slightly forward to maintain stability and ensure their airway remains open.
It is essential to seek immediate medical attention in such situations to ensure the safety and well-being of the person who has taken an excessive amount of sleeping pills.
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Place the person in the recovery position
If someone has taken six sleeping pills, it is important to act quickly and calmly. Sleeping pills can be extremely dangerous if misused, and overdoses are common. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. If you suspect a spinal injury but cannot maintain an open airway, place the person in the recovery position.
To place the person in the recovery position, follow these steps:
- Kneel beside the person and place the arm nearest to you at a right angle to their body with their palm facing upwards.
- Bring their nearest leg up so that the knee is bent and their foot is flat on the floor.
- Roll the person towards you onto their side, keeping the top leg bent. Ensure that their bottom arm remains straight and their top hand remains in front of their face, with the palm facing downwards.
- Tilt the person's head back slightly to keep the airway open. Check that nothing is blocking their mouth and nose.
- Keep the person in this position for 30 minutes, then roll them onto their other side.
- Monitor the person's breathing and pulse, and seek further medical advice as soon as possible.
Placing someone in the recovery position can help to ensure their safety and prevent any potential harm. It is important to remain with the person and seek professional help if you are concerned about their condition.
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Don't mix with other drugs or alcohol
Mixing sleeping pills with other drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous and can have serious health consequences, including death.
Firstly, it is important to note that mixing sleeping pills with alcohol can increase the sedating effects of both substances, thereby increasing the risk of overdose. This is because both alcohol and sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants, so taking them together affects the body in similar ways and compounds their adverse effects. As a result, side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, impaired motor control, lowered blood pressure, memory problems, slowed heart rate, and slowed or difficulty breathing can occur. Even drinking a single alcoholic beverage in combination with sleeping pills can be dangerous and increase the risk of vehicle accidents and falls.
Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with alcohol can lead to a higher risk of blackouts and substance use disorders. Prolonged use of this combination can also cause addiction and dependence, with withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and tremors when attempts are made to quit.
Furthermore, certain types of sleeping pills, such as barbiturates, can be especially toxic or deadly when mixed with alcohol due to a drastic slowdown or stoppage of breathing. Even herbal or dietary supplements commonly used to aid sleep, such as melatonin, valerian, or chamomile, can increase nervous system side effects when combined with alcohol.
Therefore, it is generally advised to never mix sedatives, hypnotics, or any other drugs with alcohol while taking sleeping pills. If you are concerned about the effects of mixing sleeping pills with other substances, it is important to seek medical advice and review your medications with a doctor or pharmacist to screen for potential drug interactions.
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Don't take more than the prescribed dose
Sleeping pills can be beneficial for those who struggle with sleep disorders like insomnia. However, it is crucial to remember that they are typically recommended for short-term use and come with certain risks and side effects. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to never exceed the prescribed dose.
Taking more sleeping pills than prescribed can lead to an overdose, which can be life-threatening. Overdose cases involving sedatives, including common sleeping pills like barbiturates and benzodiazepines, have been on the rise. When an individual takes too many sleeping pills, it can slow down their body functions, leading to unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and even death. Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with other substances, such as alcohol or certain medications, can enhance their depressive effects and increase the risk of overdose.
The potential for overdose is not solely dependent on the number of pills taken. Individual factors, such as age, also play a role. Older adults are at a greater risk of overdose from sleeping pills due to decreased drug metabolism rates. Additionally, the long-term use of sleeping pills can lead to dependence and tolerance, where higher doses are required to achieve the same effect. This can further increase the risk of overdose if an individual takes more than the prescribed dose in an attempt to fall asleep.
Furthermore, taking more than the prescribed dose of sleeping pills can increase the likelihood of experiencing side effects. Sleeping pills have been associated with various side effects, including constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, worsened snoring and sleep apnea, and parasomnias (complex sleep behaviours such as sleepwalking). These side effects can impact your daily life and may even lead to dangerous situations, such as driving while asleep.
In conclusion, it is essential to adhere to the prescribed dose of sleeping pills to minimise the risk of overdose, side effects, and potential long-term health consequences. If you feel that the prescribed dose is not effectively addressing your sleep issues, it is important to consult your healthcare provider to discuss alternative options or adjustments to your treatment plan.
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Speak to a healthcare professional
If you are considering taking sleeping pills, it is important to speak to a healthcare professional first. Sleeping pills can have side effects and are not suitable for everyone. For example, older adults should try non-drug treatments first because there may be safer ways to improve sleep. Sleeping pills can cause side effects such as confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, which can increase the risk of falls and hip fractures.
If you are experiencing sleep issues that are affecting your quality of life and other treatments have not helped, a healthcare professional may recommend an over-the-counter sleep aid. They will advise you to take these at a low dose for a short time and will monitor you for any side effects. It is important to keep in touch with your healthcare provider about any changes or concerns you may have while taking sleep medication.
Sleeping pills can be habit-forming, especially if you take more than the prescribed dose or combine them with other substances. They can also cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped suddenly, even if you have been taking them as prescribed. If you believe you have become dependent on sleeping pills or are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice. Your doctor may recommend gradually tapering your medication under their supervision.
Additionally, it is crucial to be mindful of alcohol consumption when taking sleeping pills. Combining sleeping pills with alcohol can cause excessive drowsiness and even dangerous side effects such as unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, seizures, coma, or death. It is also important not to mix sleeping pills with other medications that may cause drowsiness, such as opioids, without first consulting a healthcare professional.
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Frequently asked questions
Taking 6 sleeping pills is an overdose and you should 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.
Taking 6 sleeping pills can cause unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death. Other side effects include vomiting, brain injury due to lack of oxygen, confusion, memory issues, balance problems, and increased risk of falls and hip fractures.
Taking 6 sleeping pills can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and liver dysfunction or failure. It can also cause sleep disorders and make insomnia worse.
