Ledger: ruled accidental overdose of RX drugs

[hobub]

Ledger Died of Accidental Overdose - MSN Movies News



Deadly combination: painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs.

Sad ending.

[Vortigern99]

Yeah, Ledger's father says that all the medications were taken in their prescribed doses. It was the combination of doctor-prescribed medications that caused accute toxicity in Heath's system.

[toys2cool]

poor guy,I knew he had to much going for him to take his life.Now cause of someones stupid mistake,the guys life is over

[Adam West]

Yeah, Ledger's father says that all the medications were taken in their prescribed doses. It was the combination of doctor-prescribed medications that caused accute toxicity in Heath's system.

Unless they told Ledger's father something different from what is being reported, I'm not sure his father would know. He did say prior to his death that he had taken two Ambien which I have to imagine has to be twice the prescribed dose.

It's sad either way. It should serve as a sober reminder that it is extremely important to not go doctor shopping and to ensure your primary care physician knows exactly what medications you are taking no matter how innocuous they may seem.

I'm not sure about the pain killers but I do know the Xanax, Valium, and Sleeping Medications are common prescriptions taken simultaneously by people with various anxiety disorders.

[HardyGirl]

It's just so tragic. His brilliant life is over b/c the right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing. With all the internet and computer advances, you would think that red flags would go up when you're prescribed something that doesn't jive w/ your other medications. I know some pharmacies do that, but it should be standard practice.

[Airdave817]

My Mom ended up in the hospital a couple of weeks back with heart problems. She permanently and irrepairably damaged her heart. She's been having heart pains since September and didn't tell anyone, and when one of her prescriptions ran out a few weeks ago, she didn't refill it. Instead, she went on a senior dinner theatre trip. She'll be 75 May 10th.

Now she has her prescription refilled and a new one on top of it, because she didn't refill the first one when it first ran out...



1) Tell your doctor everything. Even what color it is when you go.

2) Do what your doctor says unless he/she/they tell(s) you to wrap yourself in tinfoil.

3) Follow instructions regarding prescriptions and medication.

4) When in doubt, refer to #1

5) Pray that he/she/they know(s) what he's/she's/they're doing.

6) Repeat.

[Adam West]

I'll also add to double check your prescription.

I received a prescription once for a medication that was a different color and shape that what I was accustomed to so I immediately asked the pharmacist.

Turns out it was the same medication but in a different dose and different company.

If he had prescriptions filled in the U.S. and Europe, chances are he saw two completely different doctors and possibly wasn't honest with the types of medications he was on and I don't think there is a centralized system that can cross check all of the medications you have been prescribed from every pharmacy.

[Meule]

Not that it changes anything, but I'm glad to hear it wasn't suicide.

[Vortigern99]

Yes, I too am glad it wasn't intentional suicide. Heath seemed to have too much going for him, too much about to happen and that he was in the middle of, to end it so suddenly and inexplicably. It makes a kind of sense that he was such an intense, dedicated performer who had difficulty sleeping, and suffered from some unknown emotional troubles as well, and sought assistance from legally prescribed painkillers and relaxants.

[Hector]

Man, what a bummer, he was an intense actor, it will be kinda sad to see him as the Joker in the upcoming Bat film.

May he rest in peace.

[Adam West]

I saw a news story last night from a doctor who said that it would not be completely unusual for a single doctor to prescribe all of those medications knowing the complete pharmacological implications which leads back to the importance of having all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy since they might be able to catch something that the doctor did not....very sad indeed.

[hobub]

Excellent advice. I've had my local pharmacist flag medications for me and/or the family on an occasion or two in the past.

Dangerous stuff.

Anna Nichole and her son, now Heath. I even know of a couple people in my personal life who have done this. Even when they say do not use with alcohol. (heed the warnings).

Did you see where Brittany's parents are legitimately worried about her?

Very scary.

[huedell]

painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs.

Um..not to rain on the parade here...but that's QUITE a list

You'd have to question what the heck you were doing if you were on THAT
many risky drugs as far as I can understand it----

Great actor. Seems like a great guy with a lot of emotional problems (granted)

But I'm not blaming the doctors 100%

Gotta be careful when you're taking at least FIVE different "helpful" drugs
at the same freakin' time.

RIP

[jemboy2004]

It is sad but I can't blame the Doctors for this either. even if the same doctor did prescribe all of these, I'm sure he was told not to take them all at once. If not I would have asked myself. The only way I could put blame on the doctor would be if he told him take them all at once and it will help. I doubt this happened.

I don't take any of these kinds of meds and never have. I have taken very few meds in my life so I guess it's hard for me to understand needing so many of these all at once.

I admit I'm sad to see him go as he was one of the few new actors I really do like.