OWASSO, OKLAHOMA – A recent report from the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict was caused by a combination of allergy medication and anti-depressants. The tragic incident occurred one day after a fight at Owasso High School, where Benedict, a non-binary teen, passed away. The fight, which lasted less than two minutes, was quickly broken up by other students and a staff member.
According to the summary autopsy report released on Wednesday, the medical examiner identified Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Fluoxetine (Prozac) as the substances that led to Benedict’s death, ruling it as a suicide. Body camera footage obtained by KOCO 5 captured Benedict recounting the events of the altercation at the hospital. Following the fight, Benedict was rushed back to the hospital where they were pronounced dead the next day.
Although the exact amount of medication taken by Benedict remains unclear, a local pharmacist emphasized the potential lethality of combining allergy medication and anti-depressants. Factors such as age, weight, and medical history can significantly impact the effects of these substances on an individual’s central nervous system, leading to various adverse effects like drowsiness.
Dani Lynch, a pharmacist at Thrift Pharmacy, highlighted the complexity of determining the exact circumstances of Benedict’s death, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s health profile. The full medical examiner’s report is expected to provide further insights into the tragic incident later this month.
The case of Nex Benedict sheds light on the importance of responsible medication use and the potential risks associated with combining different types of medication. As the community mourns the loss of a young life, there are calls for increased awareness and education regarding the proper use of prescription drugs to prevent similar tragedies in the future.