For the record - Feb. 11, 2008

Sleeping pills: An article in the Feb. 4 Health section incorrectly referred to the interaction between sleeping pills and alcohol as “more than just addictive.” It should have said that the combination is more than just additive.

In the same article, Greg Thompson, associate professor at USC’s School of Pharmacy, said “with Benadryl, you probably couldn’t fit enough in your stomach to kill you.” Thompson adds that though a lethal overdose is unlikely, too much of the over-the-counter drug can damage the heart. However, he adds, if a person who has taken massive amounts of Benadryl gets emergency room care, he or she will survive with no side effects.