Articles labeled: overdose

Heath Ledger, star of numerous films and who just finished filming the highly anticipated role of the Joker in the new Batman movie, was found dead in his apartment this afternoon. The cause is unknown, but it’s being reported that he was found with numerous sleeping pills strewn about the bed.

According to the NYPD spokesman, Ledger, who was living in an apartment at Broome street, “had an appointment for a massage…The housekeeper who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there, and found him dead at 3:26 p.m” with “pills strewn all around him.”

The housekeeper and masseuse tried to awake him and called the authorities when he did not respond. When the paramedics responded he was in full cardiac arrest and they attempted to perform CPR. It was unsuccessful, however, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.The police say foul play is not suspected.

Ledger is the father of a 2-year-old daughter, Matilda, who he had with actress Michelle Williams. The couple broke up last year.

The FDA will decide today if they will ban the marketing and manufacturing of cold medicines for children under 2.

Why do I get this sneaking suspicion that parents will just give their kids medicine that’s directed for older children, causing even more meyhem.

The Food and Drug Administration still hasn’t decided if the remedies are appropriate for older children to continue using, officials told The Associated Press.

Expect a decision on that by spring, the deadline necessary to notify manufacturers before they begin production for next fall’s cold season.

For now, the FDA is issuing a public health advisory on Thursday to warn parents to avoid these drugs for children under age 2 “because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur.”