Unsafe Drugs: Drug Interaction Killed Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith was killed by an "accidental overdose of powerful sedative that became lethal when mixed with nine other prescription drugs," according to the Broward County, Florida coroner's report. Smith was taking sleeping medications, chloral hydrate, and several other drugs, including Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan. Smith's death highlights the dangers of mixing drugs; adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in health care. According to the Food and Drug Administration, about 100,000 people die each year from adverse drug reactions.

Drug Interaction Kills Anna Nicole

Complications from drug interactions are the most comoon cause of iatrogenic illness. Drug-related deaths and illnesses have recently been estimated to cost more than $130 billion each year in the United States. Online drug interaction checkers can be of benefit to those who take many drugs; the online tool also checks for interactions with certain foods, alcohol, and other drugs.