Shit I’ve accidentally taken an overdose

[AndrewFormallyKnownAsPrince]

Prescribed 3.75mg zopiclone and it’s been a very long week with no sleep. I took 2 because I literally haven’t slept for longer than 2 hours at a go, and I got the green light from my GP to take 2.

I just went to put the blister pack in the box and I’ve noticed that the prescription is for 7 x 3.75 but I’ve been given 14 x7.5 and I’ve taken 2.

Wtf do I do?

Of course don't do it again but no harm done.

It’s fine. You will hopefully sleep well. If you’re worried drink a pint of water or set your alarm two hourly to wake you

It will be okay but ad it is a drug error by the pharmacy you should report it back to them.

I took 2 7.5 because I thought they were 3.75 and I needed to take 7.5. What’s in the box and what’s prescribed was completely different

I'd often take two of the 7.5mg, enjoy your sleep.

Medication often is this way you learned your lesson.

so the box says it contains 7 tablets at 3.75, and inside the blister pack is 14 tablets at 7.5 is that normal?

Medication really shouldn’t be this way!

OP, you have taken 15 instead of 7.5, yes? I’m quite risk averse, so I’d ring 111 for advice. None of us know whether you have any other conditions, medication or contra indications.

I agree.

Yes! 15 instead of 7.5

You also need to consider what you are doing in the morning- driving etc. A medication I now take with no problems made me very dopey when I started it. Now I wouldn’t think twice about driving etc but initially it was not safe.

Agreed. I think that the OP will be fine, but better safe than sorry.

I was prescribed 7mg at one point. I had a good sleep, but was woozy the next day to the extent that I had a fall.

The next time, I was prescribed 3.75 mg (the usual for someone over the age of 60) and I often just take half a tablet.

I'd call 111 just to be on the safe side as well.

Ignore the utter nonsense saying "you've learnt your lesson".
Sounds like a medication error on the pharmacy's part

I would call 111 to be on the safe side.

15mg is over the recommended daily dose as you know. That does need talking over with a medical professional, not MNers who do not know your history.

I don't overly worry about things like this, but 15mg of Zopiclone would concern me enough to call.

No, that is a huge bonus and also a major dispensary error...

Seriously I'm sure you've looked it up

But as much as I love that stuff and would give anything to be prescribed it again - no chance ...

I am actually a bit concerned.

You've taken 15 mg. I'm not a doctor and it will depend what other conditions/medications you have but that is a lot

I used to take 3.75, only very occasionally because they never prescribe it.

I did have one occasion it only gave me two hours sleep on an aeroplane so you may be fine if you're particularly wired

If you've got to go to work tomorrow, there's a fairly good chance you'll miss your alarm.

Is anyone with you overnight?

I'd call 111.

That’s a prescribing error, you need to raise this with the pharmacy. I’d take medical advice on the dosage and call 111. I’d also be making a complaint to the pharmacy, mistakes on medication dispensed shouldn’t happen as they’re normally double checked, one person packs the medication and then the prescription should be checked by the pharmacist before giving it out. That’s really poor service.

Huh?

This is an error made by the pharmacy. It isn't OP's fault.

No it isn’t, this is a prescribing error and needs to be challenged. This is NOT the fault of the OP and there’s no “lessons to be learned” what a stupid comment.

Also, how do you know there is no harm done?

Are you a medical doctor with knowledge of any other medications OP may take or any health conditions she may have?

I mean, she probably will be fine, but why wouldn't you encourage OP to just check it over with 111?

The potential toxic dose that requires medical assessment / monitoring is above 1mg/kg. So assuming you are more than 15kg it will be fine. Source: Toxbase (database used in A&E to evaluate overdoses/poisoning). Hopefully 111 would give you reassurance but I fear they send everyone to A&E and this would be pointless

Look it up on the NHS website, it doesn't make pleasant reading! Bottom line is the advise ringing 111.

no it's not 'Normal' at all for your medication to be different than what was prescribed, what is more common is for a GP to say one thing, then prescribe it differently. (So tell you to take 2x 3.75, but see there's a 7.5 version & prescribe that instead and often the same quantity (just through lack of thought!)

since I read about the medication that was packaged incorrectly at the end of last year, I now always check the blister packs say the correct dose. Not just the box. Obviously it fiesnt mean the right tablets are in the blister pack, but nothing I can do about that!

definitely do not drive in the morning!! I hope you don't feel too horrid xx

I've done this regularly. You will be absolutely fine

It doesn't need to be a toxic dose to make her ill.

NHS says

If you take too much
Taking more than your prescribed dose of zopiclone can be dangerous. You may get symptoms including:

• feeling drowsy, feeling confused, sleeping deeply and possibly going into a coma
• feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint due to low blood pressure
• floppy muscles
• falling over or losing your balance
• shallow breathing or difficulty breathing

Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if: you take more than your prescribed dose of zopiclone – even if you do not feel any different

When zopiclone first came out 15 mgs was an normal dose. The normal dose was reduced over the years to max 7. 5 mgs.

You're not her.

you don't know what other medication she takes or anything about her health.

you shouldn't be giving assurances that it'll be absolutely fine. You can't know that.