A Tragic Lesson

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  • Posted By: mfenwick @ 02/07/2008 8:26:13 AM

    You cannot overdose "accidentally" on the medication he was taking. He either committed suicide or took more than he was supposed to due to drug addiction. His death was ruled accidental so that his life insurance would pay the benificiaries. Insurance companies won't pay because of suicide or drug addiction. I don't feel a damn bit sorry for him or any of those Hollywood fools.

  • Posted By: CourtCPW @ 02/07/2008 3:13:32 AM

    No competent health professional would have allowed one patient to take all of those prescription at once. Alprazolam, diazepam, and temazepam are all in the same class of drugs. As for the pain medications, Oxycodone and hydrocodone should not be used together not only because of interactions, but both shouldn't be needed (oxycodone is a stronger pain medication). I feel that Mr. Ledger was very irresponsible because he should have disclosed all medications to each of the prescribing physicians and pharmacists. This was very preventable if indeed it was an accident. Hopefully other irresponsible patients who neglect to disclose all pertinent information will learn from this tragic accident

  • Posted By: Gabby @ 02/07/2008 2:54:56 AM

    I just thought that it was sad the way he died. I never watched any of his movies, but I know that Heath Ledger was an acclaimed actor already and on his way to the top. Again, so unfortunate on what happened. It was a tragic loss and clearly a lesson to everybody.

  • Posted By: Gabby @ 02/07/2008 2:34:58 AM

    I jus think it was pretty sad the way he died. I never watched any of his movies, but I know that Heath Ledger was an acclaimed actor already and he was on his way to the top. Again, very unfortunate on the way he died. It was truly a great loss and clearly a lesson for everybody.

  • Posted By: barfooz @ 02/06/2008 7:00:13 PM

    Drugs aren't the answer to every problem. Go seek a therapist. Start eating and sleeping right, and exercise. Drugs should not be the first resort for mental health issues.

    • Posted By: gaylep @ 02/06/2008 8:40:17 PM

      I really hope that there's not going to be any finger-pointing in this case at the doctors who prescribed the medications. In the end, Heath Ledger was stupid for not having had the cognizance to not mix all of those drugs simultaneously and to not get psychiatric treatment for his sleep and anxiety problems. If anyone should be held accountable it should be Mr. Ledger. C'mon people: Take responsibility for your actions and act responsibly!!!

      • Posted By: sooner19 @ 02/06/2008 11:54:05 PM

        I have to agree!! Common sense had to play some role here as well!

        • Posted By: redrick_1231 @ 02/07/2008 12:15:26 AM

          Obviously you all are ignorant. Addiction isn???t pretty in any case, and you call him stupid? Have you ever had anxiety attacks or depression? It???s a bit more complicated than eating and sleeping right. Leave him alone, he was brilliant!

        • Posted By: redrick_1231 @ 02/07/2008 12:14:56 AM

          Obviously you all are ignorant. Addiction isn???t pretty in any case, and you call him stupid? Have you ever had anxiety attacks or depression? It???s a bit more complicated than eating and sleeping right. Leave him alone, he was brilliant!

  • Posted By: Aliza R. @ 02/06/2008 11:38:22 PM

    I'm surprised the article didn't say anything about the role a good pharmacist plays. If you fill all your prescriptions in one place, you have someone trained in drug interactions and dosage double-checking everything. Sometimes even a good doctor makes a mistake and prescribes something that interacts badly with something he/she prescribed before. Or, one drug is a stimulant, and so shouldn't be taken at night. And, in the case of someone who seems to take the view that if one anti-depressent can help, two are better, a pharmacist can intervene and say drugs don't work that way. Or if a person seems to be going through the pills to fast (ie takes multiple sleeping pills if one "doesn't work"). They're not a panacea, but they help.
    (and no, I'm not a pharmacist, nor related or friends of any).

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