Natasha Lyonne Says She Took Sleeping Pill Before Being Escorted Off Flight

Natasha Lyonne‘s explaining exactly why she may have seemed out of it when airport authorities forced her off a recent Delta flight … it sounds like she took a sleeping pill just a little too early.

In response to an article detailing the incident, Natasha admitted she took a Lunesta — a prescription drug for insomnia — to get some sleep on a Delta redeye from L.A. to New York.

Lyonne says she had to hit the ground running in the city — she had an interview with Drew Barrymore she needed to do once she touched down — so she popped the pill and then boarded the plane “eager for a nap.”

Unfortunately, she says ICE detained her — a “sign of the times,” she supposes — and she thanks everyone for their love and support.

She specifically notes she’s never had an issue with TSA or Delta before … and she apologizes to any passengers who were delayed by the detention.

As we told you … witnesses reported to Page Six Lyonne seemed out of it while she was led off the plane — leading some to worry she’d relapsed again.