61. The drugs listed, even in combination, would not likely be lethal --a healthy 28 yr old man might sleep a long time but would definitely wake up. There is nothing dangerous whatsoever about valium + ativan, or temazepam or any other benzodiazepine in combination. Y'all need to check your pharmacology before spouting off. you sound like Tom Cruise re antidepressants! Get some facts!


From: a pharmacist

Posted at 9:36PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by julie

62. its so aggreviating... when you cannot sleep, and you have EXTREME exhaustion like i've had.. you dont think clearly.. one night I was SOOOO exhausted, I called my parents in hysterics, talking out my ass... it was nuts.. he could have tried one thing from one doc.. couldnt sleep.. tried something else..and the combo accidentely killed him

Posted at 9:36PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Shitney Spears Sux

63. Come on TMZ. Enough already. Overdose!!! Suicide!!! Pills!!! Rolled up 20 with drug residue!!! Then you have to take it all back when you learn it's false information. How bout a little FACT CHECKING BEFOREHAND.

The way you've treated this tragic story from the very start is beyond disgusting. And leave Michelle and her kid alone for chrissakes.

Posted at 9:37PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Layla

64. The bottles were "full" which suggests he wasn't abusing the drugs. Sounds like he was so run down from England that he accidently over dosed trying to get a nights sleep.

RIP Heath. And, hopefully law suits will come against the rumor mills like TMZ that keep publishing false half-baked truths about your life and death.

Posted at 9:37PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by what_a_joke

65. "# 52. How can anybody be concerned with our troops oversees when a great non-American like Heath Ledger is murdered in this great land.

Seriously folks, get your priorities straight.

...and please, let's pay more attention to the pornification of American than we do losers like Heath Ledger, Britney Spears, and Lindsay Lohan.

Out.

Posted at 9:23PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Anexio"

You're a looser Anexio.... You're dumb ar$e president sent your troops into a war based on lies, a President the people of the USA chose to be their leader.
Heath did not choose to become insomniated, anxious or to have pnemonia. Amerian or not, it is a very sad loss. Pull your head out of your bum and get a grip you turd.

Posted at 9:41PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by AussieD

66. It should be common sense, but when a doctor prescribes a new med, they need to TELL the patient to throw out the old med that the new med is replacing and not take the new med in addition to old one. This is especially important with antianxiety and antidepressant medications.

Posted at 9:45PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Deb

67. My ex-husband had a terrible sleep disorder. His mood swings were up and down. He was aggitated all the time and he could not stop his mind from racing about absolutely almost everything. Anxiety is really what causes sleep disorders. I feel terrible for anyone who has to deal with a lack of sleep. It really can turn you into a monster. Unfortunately for Heath a lack of sleep caused him to take too many or mixed combinations that were dangerous. While his were prescriptions...OTC drugs kill people every day. I truly feel so sorry for his family. His death was too early and he should have had the chance for a long long life.

Posted at 9:47PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Junie T.

68. Ativan just for one, can cause seizures and seizures can be fatal can't they? Just look up the full side effects lists on each of the drugs we have heard so far was in this poor man's room...

I don't trust people who shill for Big Pharma. When they ignore what even the drug companies admit to, they're just professing their own ignorance. Also, benzos should not be taken more than 2 weeks running, any competent doctor can tell you that.

I hope they look into everything this man was prescribed for the last six months and all of the side effects for each. THEN you can begin to piece the puzzle together.

I met him once. He was a very kind person. Rest in Peace Mr. Ledger.

Posted at 9:48PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Karyn

69. Wow, those are a lot of benzodiazapines for one person. He must have been going through a lot to need all of those and not be able to sleep. So sad. Such a tragedy and a waste. So many good people have overdosed by accident. RIP Heath.

Posted at 9:49PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by sweetthing

70. anna nichole smith, rush limbaugh, etc, etc, etc.

Posted at 9:50PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by jack

71. sweetthing: Some of the antibiotics prescribed for pneumonia can cause lasting, extreme panic and insomnia. Read the research website, www.fqresearch.org

Posted at 9:51PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Karyn

72. The plain & simple fact is, we really don't know exactly what killed the poor guy. But whoever's saying that it's not potentially lethal to mix anti-depressants and sleeping medications is simply out of their gourd-- especially if someone is mixing more than one or two types of each (which, if TMZ's list of meds here is to be believed, is precisely what Ledger had). I'm no doctor, but I can do simple research (just like anybody else here can); add to that a potential respiratory ailment, and this kid was a prime candidate for a deadly accident. I think that's what makes it all the more tragic-- he probably thought that because he was taking prescription medicines that he was safe, and that he could take them however he needed them, in whatever combination he chose. He was wrong, fatally wrong. Even though this certainly wasn't a smart thing to do (obviously), the last thing his family needs is all this wild speculation about rolled-up bills and drug residue and whatever crazy BS "leaks" out about this poor boy's death. When it's all said & done, he was somebody's baby-- and now his baby doesn't have a father. Just remember that.

Posted at 9:53PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by cubalibre

73. I'll miss you Heath... :(

Posted at 9:55PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Jenniffer

74. It's bizarre that people are now getting defensive over the theory he took too many prescription drugs, what would you have preferred him to die of?

Posted at 9:59PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by looloo

75. lorazepam, Finally a voice of reason, and very sound reasoning. *shudders about the death rattle*

Posted at 10:04PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by looloo