Greg Giraldo Death: Latest Celeb in Prescription Drug Tragedy

Greg Giraldo (Getty Images/Kevin Winter)

(CBS) Comedian Greg Giraldo is reporteldy the latest celebrity to fall victim to the dangers of prescription medication.

The 44-year-old Comedy Central regular died Wednesday after fighting for his life for five days. He was originally brought to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. for an overdose of prescription drugs. Reports claim it was not a suicide. The cause of death has not been released.

Giraldo's untimely death comes amid a spate of high profile prescription drug tragedies.

Last December, actress Brittany Murphy, 32, died from a heart attack. A coroner's report blamed pneumonia, iron deficiency and "multiple drug intoxication."

Hydrocodone, acetaminophen, and chlorpheniramine and L-methamphetamine were found in her blood - a combination of prescription vicoprofen (a narcotic pain reliever) and over-the-counter cold medication, her husband said.

The "possible adverse physiological effects of elevated levels of these medications cannot be discounted, especially in her weakened state," the coroner wrote in ruling her death an accident.

In 2008, actor Heath Ledger, 28, died in his New York City apartment.

"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," the medical examiner's office said. "We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications."

Ledger was taking a cocktail of painkillers, anti-anxiety meds and sleeping aids including Valium, Xanax, Oxycodone and Restoril.

And then there was former reality star and Playboy playmate Anna Nicole Smith, whose death was ruled accidental. She had been taking a wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs including Valium, methadone for pain, and anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs.

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[smittyc]

Never heard of the guy. Judgeing by the way he died, am glad of that. Pill heads, potheads, coke heads, all kinds of dope heads and drunks all wind up the same way it seems. Dead, physically and mentally impaired from recreational drug use. Life in a fog even on the sunny days. Oh well these things happen, no one to blame but themselves. Who cares?

[primitivx]

I am getting a bit frustrated with the bad press we get on prescription drugs. Yes there are dangers associated with them and that's why they have to be taken as prescribed. Most of the deaths we hear about that involves prescription drugs also includes the use of alchohol and/or recreational drugs, and mixing several drugs that come from different doctors. There are also the addition of drugs obtained illegally as well as dosages higher than prescribed.

You can't keep people from acting recklessly with prescription drugs, or trying to use it as recreational drugs. I take Oxycodone, xanax, and Ambient because I need to. I don't drink alchohol or make little cocktails that will send me to my grave. I have been taking these prescriptions for many years without issues.

Remember, it is the bad choices that lead these people to their grave, not the meds.

[stevezplace2]

So True! I am a responsible adult that have been on these medications for 13 years no problem! Im sure if I took a handful of each I would have a problem too, but I know better. So they knew what they were risking when they took those amounts and are not following doses they are made for. So sorry they didn't realize it in time.

[obamunisum]

This is just sad to see another great talent ike greg die of a drug overdose we've already had a handful of stars musicians actors actresses fall victum: michael jackson,elvis presley,judy garland,Marilyn Monroe, heath ledger,anna nicole smith. when wil this madness end of physicians overprescribing high profile people and being the cause of their death and getting away with it scott free rid the world of prescription drugs and well all be alot better off. :ps god bless giraldo for all hes done for comedy well miss you.

[gryphon450]

greg gave a lot of laughs and truth in his work,how he died matters little to me.he was a father of three and i hope they know many of us loved him god bless him and his family

[superfly885]

Its always sad when a person passes. How they pass is a different issue. pill popper = FAIL!!

[bashdj]

RIP Greg. You were an amazing comic and you always made me laugh.
I loved you on The Root of All Evil when you were arguing that the Catholic church was more evil than Oprah,lol

"Did I mention the boy @#$%ing?" Classic!

We'll miss you.

[bashdj]

Legalize marijuana and much of the problem would go away.
Nothing in it but water, dirt and sunshine.

The hypocracy of drug companies / Government is appalling.

God gave us weed....he did NOT give us prescription meds!

[newsterI]

"brought to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital...for an overdose of prescription drugs. The cause of death has not been released."

=======

Are these writers as stupid as these articles read? it just SAID he was brought in to the hospital for a drug OVERDOSE, and he died in the hospital, how hard is that to figure out the CAUSE of death??

[Andrew_W_J]

Are you kidding? This article is barely about the death of a great comedian but simply a recap of more famous people's deaths. This is a huge slap in the face to both his family and career. This was where HE was supposed to be remembered for his life and accomplishments, not Brittany Murphy. She had her time in the celebrity death spotlight, why deny Giraldo his?

[newsterI]

She had her time in the celebrity death spotlight, why deny Giraldo his?"
====
Because he's DEAD, he doesn't care now!

[seanchristopherryan]

I fell in love with comedians when I was young, 8 or 9 years old thanks to George Carlin. I have found that most of life's truths are professed by comedians not politicians or preachers. Ill really miss you Greg. You made me laugh EVERY TIME!!!!