Clomethiazole - Overdose

Overdose

Chlomethiazole is particularly toxic and dangerous in overdose and can be potentially fatal. Keith Moon(1946-1978), drummer of the renowned English Rock Band The Who, died after taking a massive overdose of clomethiazole on September 7, 1978. At the time of his death, Moon had been struggling with severe alcoholism for years and was being prescribed the drug to help him stay sober. As the drug can be fatal in high doses, prescribing clomethiazole outside a controlled environment, like a hospital, is not recommendable. Especially because there are much less toxic alternatives, such as diazepam. Diazepam is one of many drugs belonging to the benzodiazepine class, with a long half-life (50–100 hours) and a very low risk of fatal overdose, as long as the patient does not consume alcohol or certain other types of medication.

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