Whitney Houston Autopsy Results: Sedatives Found in Blood System
A preliminary report of the autopsy conducted on Whitney Houston has revealed that the singer had taken sedatives before her death, according to a new report.
Whitney Houston was discovered dead Saturday in a Beverly Hills bathtub. News reports confirmed that prescription pill bottles were found in the hotel suite, some rumored to be surrounding the tub, and now a new report has come forward stating that Houston had taken sedatives before her death.
Police have reported that preliminary results for the toxicology screen conducted on Whitney Houston could be revealed as soon as this week, although a full report could take four to six weeks, according to RadarOnline.com. Sedatives, specifically benzodiazepines, were discovered in Houston's system.
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"The preliminary results indicate that there were benzodiazepines present in Whitney's system," a member of law enforcement told Radar. "The final toxicology results will reveal the specific sedative(s) that she ingested, and the level."
The final toxicology results should be in later this week.
Benzodiazepines, when taken in large amounts, can cause dangerous levels of deep unconsciousness. When taken with alcohol and opiates, the potential level of toxicity increases. Familiar names for the drug include Valium and Xanax.
Benzodiazepines are "are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States" and also commonly abused, according to eMedicineHealth.
The law enforcement official also explained that toxicology screenings do not take as long as previously predicted.
"Toxicology testing and results don't take 4-6 weeks to come back. Look at how quickly toxicology screening tests are done in hospital emergency rooms when someone comes in with an overdose," the source stated. "The Coroner and the Beverly Hills Police Department have placed a security hold on the case, so it will be a few weeks before the results are revealed publicly."
