"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," the statement said. [Reuters - Feb.6]

So, it was not a suicide. None of the drugs were taken in excessive amounts. The combination of all of them in normal dosages was enough to do him in.

The evidence is that he simply really, really wanted to get some sleep. Doxylamine is Nyquil.

Cordially,

The poor guy.
I've been reading about him and waiting for the toxology report.

Isn't Doxylamine an antihistamine similar to Benadryl?


Maybe his docs needed to give him the heavy duty stuff like Seroquel -- or whatever would help someone really wound up get to sleep.
I miss Heath.

M.

I really wish they'd start going after some of these doctors that prescribe in lethal amounts

If you take your meds exactly as prescribed and they kill you, obviously, you were over-prescribed.

I feel so bad about his daughter

Barb

He might have been to a bunch of doctors who were not in communication wiht each other.

Such a shame.

M.


http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h...LpDIgD8UL5L3G1

Is anyone else bothered by the fact he had BOTH Oxycontin and Vicodin in his system? The nyquil has alcohol in it and that is a known drug magnifyer. I think he had NO business taking Oxycontin, if he was in THAT much pain he should NOT have been working period. It's the oxy that did him in I bet coupled with vicodin.

It makes me mad to think that dr's are going to be under more scrutiny then they are already. It's not fair to those of us in true chronic pain to have to be looked upon as abusers of our prescribed meds like they talked about on the news today.

Yes, Pam. You are right on.
I agree with you and find the whole business troublesome.

The US gov (DEA) is now looking into how he got the stuff -- if the prescriptions are in his name and so on.

Mari

It is definitely troubling that he had both medications in his system, but I think they have implied already he had them from different physicians by saying three were from Europe. I don't envy his family having to cope with his untimely death like this, but the after effects will be felt by more then just them and that bothers me.

Thanks for posting Mari, I was afraid that I would get flamed for sharing my thoughts, but that's what they are and I am glad you agree with me. That makes me feel a lot better.

I don't think it was Nyquil...was it? Doxylamine is in Unisom sleep aid. And some people
get paradoxical excitation from antihistamines. Doxylamine is very sedating and has potential
to be very agitating.

What people do... and I used to field those calls is:
Take the OTC sleep aid.... wait a few minutes...nothing happens.

Rummage around in the house and find Valium (or another tranq) and take that.
Wait a few minutes, nothing happens...remember this was in the DAYTIME.

Rummage around some more...perhaps call ME up... by this point. ( I used to work midnights and
calls like this were very common).

Narcotics do cause agitation in some people..sometimes. Insomnia.
I haven't seen a report yet explaining the narcotic use for what kind of pain?

So he may have taking the narcotics, got agitated and then tried all the rest.
Benzos are respiratory depressants, and added up with the narcotics to depress his breathing reflex.

Once you are impaired with a strong drug, judgement become very poor and
one loses track of what one is doing. This is where sloppy doctors come in.
I suspect he had many meds from many doctors.. I can't see one doctor doing this...If so it is very unethical and dangerous to provide so much.

Dear mrsd,

Except for the children's version, all formulations of Nyquil contain doxylamine.

While I am sorry the Keith Ledger overdosed, I am most concerned that his death will be political capital for another DEA witch hunt. A year or so ago, the DEA discovered that retired coal miners in Appalachia were selling the Oxycontin they were prescribed for black lung, arthritis etc. to buy food. They busted seven doctors, adding to the magnetic appeal of Appalachia for the medical profession generally.

Cordially,

I agree with mrsd. The papers said it was Unisom. In my opinion that is what killed him. The only drug that wasn't given by a doctor.
Geez....all the guy wanted to do was sleep.....been there done that.