Evie Summers
Sleeping pills are a common intervention for insomnia and other sleep disorders, but they can be dangerous if not used correctly. Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to severe health complications and even death. If you suspect someone has taken too many sleeping pills, it is important to seek emergency medical attention immediately. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, you should check their symptoms and, if trained, administer naloxone or CPR if necessary. The treatment for a sleeping pill overdose will depend on the type and amount of pill taken, but generally includes supportive care and, in some cases, medication to reverse the effects of the overdose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to do | Call 911 or emergency services immediately |
| What to do before emergency services arrive | Administer CPR if the victim appears to be gasping for air or if breathing ceases and consciousness is lost; place the person in the recovery position if they are unconscious; check the person's airway to make sure it's clear and that they are 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 the ambulance, telling them that the person is in cardiac arrest |
| Treatment | Supportive care, where a doctor monitors the patient's breathing and cardiovascular system while the body works the benzodiazepine out of the system; activated charcoal, hemodialysis, or whole bowel irrigation may also be used; flumazenil is sometimes used to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines, but it has its own risks and may not be effective for all types of sleeping pills; naloxone may be administered if the victim has also used opioids |
| Prevention | Strictly follow the prescribed dosage; avoid taking extra pills, even if sleep is elusive; avoid mixing with alcohol or other drugs; store medication securely |
| Addiction treatment | Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and group therapy; support groups and 12-step programs; medications; lifestyle modifications |
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What You'll Learn
Call emergency services immediately
If you suspect someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, it is crucial to call emergency services immediately. Sleeping pill overdose is a serious medical condition that can lead to significant health complications and even be life-threatening. The consequences of a sleeping pill overdose can be both immediate and long-term, affecting various systems of the body.
One of the most critical immediate risks is respiratory depression, where breathing becomes inadequate, leading to hypoxia and potential brain damage or death. Other signs of a sleeping pill overdose include extreme drowsiness, confusion, slow or shallow breathing, and loss of coordination. In some cases, an overdose can also cause nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, clumsiness, and breathing troubles. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the person's breathing and provide rescue breathing or CPR if necessary while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
Additionally, it is important to have as much information as possible ready for the emergency responders. This includes the type of sleeping pills taken, the amount ingested, and the time of ingestion. This information will help emergency personnel provide the most appropriate care as promptly as possible. It is also helpful to show the medics any empty bottles or packets of pills that the person may have taken so they can quickly identify the type of medication involved.
If the person has also ingested opioids, naloxone may be administered to reverse the opioid overdose. Flumazenil is another medication that can be used to reverse the effects of a benzodiazepine overdose. However, its use must be carefully considered due to associated risks, such as the risk of seizure and heart rhythm disorders.
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Administer naloxone if trained
Naloxone is a medicine that acts as an antidote to opioid overdose. It can quickly restore normal breathing if a person's breathing has slowed or stopped due to an opioid overdose. It is a safe and effective medication that has been used by emergency medical professionals for decades. Naloxone is also known by the brand name Narcan.
If you suspect an opioid overdose, it is safe to administer naloxone. It is available in all Hennepin Healthcare pharmacies and can be obtained without a prescription. It can be given as a nasal spray or injected into the muscle, under the skin, or into the veins. The nasal spray is the easiest way to administer naloxone outside of a medical setting. However, it is important to receive training on how and when to use naloxone.
If you are trained to administer naloxone, follow these steps:
- Call 911: The first step in treating any overdose is to call for emergency medical assistance.
- Assess responsiveness: Try to wake the person or speak to them. Perform a "sternal rub" to determine if they are unresponsive or just in a deep sleep.
- Check for breathing and pulse: If the person is unresponsive, check their breathing and pulse. If they are not breathing or do not have a pulse, start CPR and continue until emergency services arrive.
- Administer naloxone: If the person is not breathing or has slowed breathing, administer naloxone as instructed in your training.
- Monitor the person: Stay with the person and monitor their breathing and vital signs until emergency services arrive.
It is important to note that naloxone only works if the person has opioids in their system. It will not reverse overdoses from other drugs such as benzodiazepines, cocaine, or alcohol. Additionally, the person may experience withdrawal symptoms after receiving naloxone if they are regular opioid users.
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Put the person in the recovery position
If someone has taken too many sleeping pills, it is important to act quickly and calmly. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, putting the person in the recovery position can help ensure their safety and prevent further harm. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:
Step 1: Kneel beside the Person
Position yourself beside the person, kneeling on the floor. Make sure you are on a comfortable and stable surface to maintain balance and control during the process.
Step 2: Position the Person's Nearest Arm
Gently lift the arm that is nearest to you and bring it up towards their head. Place the back of their hand against their cheek, with the arm bent at the elbow. Ensure that their palm is facing upwards.
Step 3: Bend the Person's Far Leg
Now, focus on the leg furthest from you. Carefully lift it and bend it at the knee, keeping the foot flat on the ground. This will help stabilize the person's position and provide a solid base.
Step 4: Position the Person's Nearest Leg
Gently lift the leg nearest to you and bring it towards you, keeping the knee bent. Place the foot flat on the ground, ensuring that the leg is comfortably positioned in front of the person's body.
Step 5: Tilt the Person's Head Back
Gently tilt the person's head back, ensuring that their airway remains open and clear. Check to make sure that they have regular breathing and that they have a pulse. If they are not breathing, prepare to administer CPR if necessary.
Step 6: Adjust the Person's Far Arm
Take the arm furthest from you and bring it across their body. Gently place it on the side with the hand resting on their nearest shoulder or upper chest. Ensure that their fingers are pointing towards their opposite shoulder.
By following these steps, you can effectively put someone in the recovery position, which can help ensure their safety and facilitate their recovery after taking too many sleeping pills. Remember to remain calm and seek immediate medical assistance by calling emergency services.
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Monitor their breathing
If you suspect that someone has taken too many sleeping pills, it is important to monitor their breathing. Sleeping pills can slow down body functions, causing unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and even death. Therefore, monitoring breathing can help detect any irregularities and prevent further complications.
Firstly, check the person's airway to ensure it is clear and that they are breathing regularly. Observe their chest to count the number of breaths per minute. The normal respiration rate for an adult at rest ranges from 12 to 16 breaths per minute. If their breathing rate is significantly lower than this range, it could indicate an overdose. Additionally, pay attention to any signs of breathing difficulties, such as gasping for air or struggling to breathe.
If the person is experiencing severe breathing problems, such as slow or dysfunctional breathing, you should immediately call for emergency medical assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, you can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. Place the person in the recovery position, which involves laying them on their side with one knee slightly bent and their head turned to the side to maintain an open airway.
It is important to continuously monitor the person's breathing until help arrives. If their condition worsens, or if they become unresponsive, be prepared to administer CPR again if needed. Remember, time is critical in situations of suspected sleeping pill overdose, so do not hesitate to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that remote and wearable breathing monitoring devices are available and can provide continuous respiratory rate measurements. These devices can enhance the accuracy of breathing activity detection and offer early warnings of declining health, which could be beneficial in certain situations.
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Get them to a treatment centre
If someone has taken too many sleeping pills, it is important to act quickly and get them to a treatment centre. Here are some steps to follow:
Call for Emergency Medical Help
Dial 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Sleeping pill overdose can be life-threatening, and prompt medical intervention is crucial. While waiting for the emergency services to arrive, follow the dispatcher's instructions. They may ask you a series of questions to assess the situation and guide you through the necessary first aid procedures.
Monitor Breathing and Vital Signs
Check the person's breathing and vital signs. Sleeping pills can slow down breathing and heart rate dangerously or even cause them to stop. Place the person in the recovery position if they are unconscious and breathing. This involves turning them onto their side with their upper leg bent and their arm nearest you straight, and their other arm bent with the hand resting on their cheek. This position helps keep their airway open and prevents them from choking if they vomit.
Administer First Aid
If the person is not breathing, and you are trained, provide rescue breathing and CPR. Tilt the person's head back, pinch their nose closed, and give two slow breaths, followed by one breath every 5 seconds. Watch for the chest to rise, indicating air is entering the lungs. If there is no pulse, begin CPR.
Gather Information
If possible, gather information about the type and amount of sleeping pills taken, as well as the time of ingestion. This information will be crucial for the emergency responders and medical staff at the treatment centre. Check for any empty pill bottles or packaging that may provide details about the medication.
Accompany to the Treatment Centre
Once the emergency services arrive, accompany the person to the hospital or treatment centre if possible. This will allow you to provide ongoing information and support. At the treatment centre, medical professionals will take over and provide specialised care. They may administer medications such as flumazenil to reverse the effects of the overdose, or use other interventions such as stomach pumps to remove the pills from the person's system.
Remember, time is of the essence when dealing with a sleeping pill overdose. Don't wait to see if the person improves; get them to a treatment centre as soon as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Signs of a sleeping pill overdose can manifest both physically and psychologically. Physically, a person may experience abdominal pain, slow or shallow breathing, clumsiness, and lethargy. Psychologically, they may exhibit strange behaviour, severe drowsiness, and confusion.
If you suspect someone has taken too many sleeping pills, it is important to seek emergency medical attention immediately. While waiting for the paramedics, turn the person in 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 it’s clear and that they are breathing regularly. If there isn’t a pulse, start CPR.
Provide the responders with as much information as possible, including the type of sleeping pills taken, the amount taken, and the time of ingestion. This information will help emergency personnel provide the appropriate care promptly.
Sleeping pill overdoses are usually treated with supportive care, meaning that the 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. Additionally, medications such as flumazenil or naloxone may be administered to reverse the effects of the overdose, depending on the type of sleeping pill.
To prevent a sleeping pill overdose, it is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and avoid taking extra pills, even if sleep is elusive. It is also important to avoid mixing sleeping pills with other substances, especially opioids and alcohol, as this can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal consequences.
