Heath Ledger's Death Was Accidental Overdose

People.com ^ | 02.06.08

[Hyzenthlay]

Um, I’m pretty sure hydrocodone is a painkiller (it’s been prescribed to me as such). Anyways, I believe it could have been an accident - I had a friend who was on meds for ADHD, depression, OCD, and allergies when she hurt herself and the ER doctor prescribed her a prescription painkiller, and the painkiller made her loopy/tired enough that she accidentally mixed up two of the meds and almost died as a result (thankfully she’s OK now and off everything except the allergy meds). Plus, hydrocodone combined with anything that has a side effect of making you sleepy can screw with your mind in very weird ways.

[Sue Perkick]

Plus, hydrocodone combined with anything that has a side effect of making you sleepy can screw with your mind in very weird ways.

And that's what happened here. The hydrocodone is used as a painkiller as well as a cough supressant. Temazepam is a hypnotic probably for the insomnia we heard about both before as well as after his death. Doxylamine is an antihistamine, which we all know makes you drowsy. Add the Xanax & this was a mess.

His head may have been so messed up he didn't realize what he was doing. A lack of sleep & the things prescribed for it can do strange things to your head. As much as it will disappoint some who love slamming "Hollyweird" celebrities it sounds like this was just a tragic accident.

[Continental Soldier]

If there were so damn many things wrong with him that he needed so many different drugs, maybe he should have been in a hospital or in a psych ward! Accidental overdose? C’mon, tell it like it actually is, for once!

[GOP Poet]

Well said!! So very true!

[E Rocc]

I have some pretty close personal experience with someone who's been prescribed multiple meds, including much of this list. Sometimes it's not so much a death wish as a desire to be "numb", regardless of the risk. There can even be a "daredevil" aspect to it...."how close can I go and come back".

-Eric