Elvis’ addiction was the perfect prescription for an early death. He abused antihistamines, tranquilizers such as Valium, barbiturates, Quaaludes, sleeping pills, hormones — and even laxatives, for the constipation caused by consuming so many drugs. Offered is a prescription pill bottle that belonged to Elvis Presley. The bottle contained one of Elvis' favored drugs, Valum, as prescribed by a Dr. Cantor in Hollywood. The prescription was filled on December 3, 1974 at the famed Schwab's Pharmacy on Sunset Blvd.--a pharmacy frequented by Elvis for years and often referred to as the "Pharmacy to the Stars".
The label reads "Valium 5mg / Take one tablet at bedtime as needed for sleep. Elvis Presley - 12/3/74."
The accompanying copy of a letter signed by Jody Ghanem from the original sale of a number of prescription bottles reads "This collection of Elvis Presley's pill bottles were left at the home of Dr. Elias Ghanem during the Elvis Presley's visits to the Ghanem's home in the mid to late 1970's." Somewhat interestingly, the Dalmane is the only one of the 15 bottles listed that were left by Elvis at Dr. Ghanem's residence. The others were from prescriptions written by Elvis' physicians Dr. Nichopoulos (Memphis), Dr. Kaplan (Palm Springs), Dr. Scott (Memphis), and Dr. Cantor (Hollywood). Near Mint condition.
Elvis' drug use would dramatically increase in the few short years following this prescription, with history showing Elvis upping his Valium intake to 10mg by 1976--the highest dosage.