Accidential drug overdose

[Epona]

They are saying on CNN that Anna Nicole's son died of an accidential overdose of methadone, zoloft, and lexapro. The CNN report said the drugs affected his central nervous system. I know zoloft is an anti-depressant. How do these drugs react on the nervous system?

Thanks! E

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Well, both Lexapro and Zoloft are both SSRI's. Methadone in large quantities will cause respiratory depression, hence resp arrest, then cardiac arrest.

Too bad.

[Epona]

Wow. That is too bad. I sorta figured it had something to do with breathing or the heart. Not in RN school yet, but that was my hunch. Wow. That is really too bad. Thanks for explaining how they work.

Thank you! E

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

What the heck is this kid on methadone for anyhow?? Does his doc have any idea how DANGEROUS of a med this is?? Ugh...

[mamason]

What the heck is this kid on methadone for anyhow?? Does his doc have any idea how DANGEROUS of a med this is?? Ugh...

I thought methadone was given for heroin withdrawls. I'm not sure what other purposes it could be used for. Any insights anyone?

[lsyorke, RN]

I thought methadone was given for heroin withdrawls. I'm not sure what other purposes it could be used for. Any insights anyone?

Methadone is used for those with chronic pain. Very big with pain management docs. None of the drugs found were individually in large doses. It appears that the combination caused the death. Lexapro and zoloft together puts on at high risk for serotonin syndrome.Who the heck ordered all this for him?

[HyperRNRachel]

The pill form of methadone is used to treat pain. Since the recent decreased use of oxycodone, methadone is being prescribed left and right. It can cause death, even when given in small doses.

[mamason]

Hey...thanks. I just have never been in the situation where any of:wink2: my pt's had recieved the drug. I was unfamilar with it except for what I learned about it in school.