Can you overdose on OTC sleeping pills? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Stompy · 02-23-2005, 08:48 AM

I've been having major sleeping issues for the past few months. I have a sleep study scheduled for March, but until then... I'm on my own.

A few weeks ago, I went out and bought some sleeping pills that are really just 25mg of Diphenhydramine, which induces sleep.

I started off by taking 2, but it wasn't doing anything at all... so I upped it to 4. 4 wasn't doing anything, so I upped it to 6.

So for the past week I've been actually able to sleep by taking 6 of these.

Well, last night, I couldn't sleep, so I took 8.

30-45 minutes later, I get this very STRANGE sensation in my head/chest - like a weird type of chill. My heart starts pounding a million miles an hour and it was very hard for me to breathe, my eyes were shaky and I was seein stars.

I tell my friend's mom to take me to the hospital because I think something is wrong.. but when she gets to my house to pick me up, it all suddenly stops. At that point I begin to think it wasn't the sleeping pills because if it was... I'm sure I'd still be havin probs. So I really have no idea what to think.

I've had panic attacks before, and this was NOTHING like a panic attack... unless it was just an "ultra" attack of sorts.

I read up on Diphenhydramine and a few places say you should never take more than 300mg in a 24 hour period. 8 pills is 200mg (25mg each).

02-23-2005, 09:09 AM

Actually, i've used dramamine specifically TO halucinate before. taking eight or more will do that to you. The LD50 is something insane, you'd literally have to take hundreds to kill yourself. Be careful with that kind of stuff, taking more than directed on something can definately cause unwanted side-effects. Read up:

http://www.erowid.org/pharms/diphenh...ydramine.shtml

f6twister · 02-23-2005, 09:10 AM

Yes, you can overdose on sleeping pills. According to the Lippincott's Drug Guide, the maximum adult dose is 50 mg. By my calculations, you were up to 150 mg. Yikes!

Adverse Effects: Dizziness, disturbed coordination, confusion, excitation, nervousness, tremor, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, palpitations, bradycardia, tachycardia (the last three are heart rhythm changes), chest tighness, wheezing, dry mouth, dry nose, dry throat, urinary frequency, decreased libido, impotence, rash, photosensitivity, excessive perspiration and anaphylactic shock (if you are allergic).

In other words, you already OD'd on them once and I wouldn't suggest trying it again.

squirrelyburt · 02-24-2005, 07:21 AM

How long have you had trouble sleeping? Are there any other factors like caffiene intake within a few hours of bed? Any changes in food or life stressors? Any prescription meds that interfere w/ sleep? Just some thoughts. I use melatonin, usually about 3/4 of a pill puts me out. They are natural and I sleep well for working nights.

02-24-2005, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrelyburt

How long have you had trouble sleeping? Are there any other factors like caffiene intake within a few hours of bed? Any changes in food or life stressors? Any prescription meds that interfere w/ sleep? Just some thoughts. I use melatonin, usually about 3/4 of a pill puts me out. They are natural and I sleep well for working nights.

I've actually heard some weird things about melatonin lately, especially large doses such as 3-4 pills in 24 hours: http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/r...atoninfin.shtm
l

Stompy · 02-24-2005, 08:22 AM

I used to take 12mg of melatonin each night, but it didn't do anything. Had no effect whatsoever.

My sleeping problems got very bad around November. I've recently started taking caffeine during the day. I tried to avoid it, but I hate going through the day feeling lethargic and exhausted.. so I drink tons of green tea (probably 10-12 cups).

f6twister.. I'm kinda confused by your post vs. what thinktank posted: the site he links to says the LD50 rate is 500mg/kg.. or something ridiculously high. Another site I read said to not exceed 300mg in a day. Where did you see that the LD50 was 50mg?

You also said I was up to 150mg, but I actually had 200 (eight 25mg tablets).

I went back down to 6 last night, and I think what happened was either a panic attack or some breif period of hallucination/delirium. Usually I'm out not too long after I take 6 (4 does absolutely nothing to me), but last night I was up for a bit playing some games and listening to music. When I went to lay down to bed, right before dozing off, I heard the music as if it was still on... but it wasn't.

There was a song that I was hearing that I haven't heard in YEARS, and if you ask me now, I couldn't tell you many of the lyrics (or if I did, they'd be out of order), but last night.. that song was playing loud as day in my mind and I heard every single lyric - very strange.

Hmmm...

Slavakion · 02-24-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stompy

My sleeping problems got very bad around November. I've recently started taking caffeine during the day. I tried to avoid it, but I hate going through the day feeling lethargic and exhausted.. so I drink tons of green tea (probably 10-12 cups).

I won't pretend to be a doctor, but I'm guessing that the fatigue is coming from the sleeping pills/lack of sleep. And the sleep issues are reinforced by caffeine (although green tea doesn't have too much). You may be in a vicious loop here. Next time you get a few days paid vacation, skip the tea and cut back on the pills for a few days. If things improve, maybe I should go to med school. Otherwise, talk to your doctor.

Stompy · 02-24-2005, 09:46 AM

I didn't start the caffeine/sleeping pills until recently (maybe 2 weeks ago).

Until then, I just let it take its course hoping it would straighten out.

My sleep study is next week though, so I'll find out then what's goin on. Until then... I gotta make due with something.

Slavakion · 02-24-2005, 03:07 PM

Well, then try to not do things for an hour before bed. Read a book. Watch something unexciting on TV. Don't excersize or play games. That might help a little.

irseg · 02-24-2005, 03:58 PM

From what I've heard, taking that dose of sleeping pills will result in things like you imagining a friend just walked into your room and engaged you in conversation, seeing spiders running all over the walls, and other such weirdness. Apparently unlike most other hallucinogens, you can't really differentiate those hallucinations from reality either.

Also, I've taken a couple Benadryls (same stuff, just in a lower dose) a few times to get to sleep and it sometimes makes me have sleep paralysis, which is when you wake up and can't move for 30 seconds or so. Which is scary as hell at first, but it's happened to me enough now that I just think "ah crap, this again.. ok, can't move... can't move... can't move... ooh I wiggled my toes... can't move... ok cool I can move!" and go back to sleep.

thingstodo · 02-26-2005, 01:26 PM

Dude, you can OD on water. Too much of anything can be bad.

Not to make light of your problem, but meditation is good stuff. Reading a novel with one light on for 15 minutes clears you head and slows the racing thoughts, which is the problem for many people - but I don't know about you. I do know that your mind needs to settle before you can sleep. Also, try using a fan in your room to clear out all the noises. It's awesome "white noise."

02-23-2005, 08:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Can you overdose on OTC sleeping pills? I've been having major sleeping issues for the past few months. I have a sleep study scheduled for March, but until then... I'm on my own. A few weeks ago, I went out and bought some sleeping pills that are really just 25mg of Diphenhydramine, which induces sleep. I started off by taking 2, but it wasn't doing anything at all... so I upped it to 4. 4 wasn't doing anything, so I upped it to 6. So for the past week I've been actually able to sleep by taking 6 of these. Well, last night, I couldn't sleep, so I took 8. 30-45 minutes later, I get this very STRANGE sensation in my head/chest - like a weird type of chill. My heart starts pounding a million miles an hour and it was very hard for me to breathe, my eyes were shaky and I was seein stars. I tell my friend's mom to take me to the hospital because I think something is wrong.. but when she gets to my house to pick me up, it all suddenly stops. At that point I begin to think it wasn't the sleeping pills because if it was... I'm sure I'd still be havin probs. So I really have no idea what to think. I've had panic attacks before, and this was NOTHING like a panic attack... unless it was just an "ultra" attack of sorts. I read up on Diphenhydramine and a few places say you should never take more than 300mg in a 24 hour period. 8 pills is 200mg (25mg each). __________________ I love lamp.

02-23-2005, 09:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
thinktank Guest	Actually, i've used dramamine specifically TO halucinate before. taking eight or more will do that to you. The LD50 is something insane, you'd literally have to take hundreds to kill yourself. Be careful with that kind of stuff, taking more than directed on something can definately cause unwanted side-effects. Read up: http://www.erowid.org/pharms/diphenh...ydramine.shtml Last edited by thinktank; 02-23-2005 at 09:12 AM..

02-23-2005, 09:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
f6twister Addict	Yes, you can overdose on sleeping pills. According to the Lippincott's Drug Guide, the maximum adult dose is 50 mg. By my calculations, you were up to 150 mg. Yikes! Adverse Effects: Dizziness, disturbed coordination, confusion, excitation, nervousness, tremor, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, palpitations, bradycardia, tachycardia (the last three are heart rhythm changes), chest tighness, wheezing, dry mouth, dry nose, dry throat, urinary frequency, decreased libido, impotence, rash, photosensitivity, excessive perspiration and anaphylactic shock (if you are allergic). In other words, you already OD'd on them once and I wouldn't suggest trying it again. __________________ A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin

02-24-2005, 07:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
squirrelyburt Crazy Location: Central Wisconsin	How long have you had trouble sleeping? Are there any other factors like caffiene intake within a few hours of bed? Any changes in food or life stressors? Any prescription meds that interfere w/ sleep? Just some thoughts. I use melatonin, usually about 3/4 of a pill puts me out. They are natural and I sleep well for working nights. __________________ If you've ever felt there was a reason to be afraid of the dark, you were right.

02-24-2005, 08:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	I used to take 12mg of melatonin each night, but it didn't do anything. Had no effect whatsoever. My sleeping problems got very bad around November. I've recently started taking caffeine during the day. I tried to avoid it, but I hate going through the day feeling lethargic and exhausted.. so I drink tons of green tea (probably 10-12 cups). f6twister.. I'm kinda confused by your post vs. what thinktank posted: the site he links to says the LD50 rate is 500mg/kg.. or something ridiculously high. Another site I read said to not exceed 300mg in a day. Where did you see that the LD50 was 50mg? You also said I was up to 150mg, but I actually had 200 (eight 25mg tablets). I went back down to 6 last night, and I think what happened was either a panic attack or some breif period of hallucination/delirium. Usually I'm out not too long after I take 6 (4 does absolutely nothing to me), but last night I was up for a bit playing some games and listening to music. When I went to lay down to bed, right before dozing off, I heard the music as if it was still on... but it wasn't. There was a song that I was hearing that I haven't heard in YEARS, and if you ask me now, I couldn't tell you many of the lyrics (or if I did, they'd be out of order), but last night.. that song was playing loud as day in my mind and I heard every single lyric - very strange. Hmmm... __________________ I love lamp.

02-24-2005, 09:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	I didn't start the caffeine/sleeping pills until recently (maybe 2 weeks ago). Until then, I just let it take its course hoping it would straighten out. My sleep study is next week though, so I'll find out then what's goin on. Until then... I gotta make due with something. __________________ I love lamp.

02-24-2005, 03:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Slavakion Mjollnir Incarnate Location: Lost in thought	Well, then try to not do things for an hour before bed. Read a book. Watch something unexciting on TV. Don't excersize or play games. That might help a little.

02-24-2005, 03:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
irseg Junkie Location: Florida	From what I've heard, taking that dose of sleeping pills will result in things like you imagining a friend just walked into your room and engaged you in conversation, seeing spiders running all over the walls, and other such weirdness. Apparently unlike most other hallucinogens, you can't really differentiate those hallucinations from reality either. Also, I've taken a couple Benadryls (same stuff, just in a lower dose) a few times to get to sleep and it sometimes makes me have sleep paralysis, which is when you wake up and can't move for 30 seconds or so. Which is scary as hell at first, but it's happened to me enough now that I just think "ah crap, this again.. ok, can't move... can't move... can't move... ooh I wiggled my toes... can't move... ok cool I can move!" and go back to sleep.

02-26-2005, 01:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Dude, you can OD on water. Too much of anything can be bad. Not to make light of your problem, but meditation is good stuff. Reading a novel with one light on for 15 minutes clears you head and slows the racing thoughts, which is the problem for many people - but I don't know about you. I do know that your mind needs to settle before you can sleep. Also, try using a fan in your room to clear out all the noises. It's awesome "white noise." __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.