Side Effects & Risks
Some risk of psychological dependency. Can
cause dangerous behavior in some, such as driving while
sleeping. Suppresses rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
News: Ambien. Lunesta, Other
"New-Generation" Sleep Aids Linked to Bizarre Behavior
New generation sleeping pills, like Lunesta
and Ambien, may also cause serious adverse reactions as
older sleep aids. While older pills are much more likely to
cause daytime sedation, addiction and withdrawal symptoms,
drug classified as nonbenzodiazepines (NBZs), including
Lunesta and Ambien, seem just as likely to cause amnesia and
erratic behavior.
But, it appears that NBZs have not eliminated
all of the problems associated with sleeping pills.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, and
analysis of adverse-event reports filed with the World
Health Organization suggests that some side effects of this
generation of sleep medications may be as bad as - and even
worse than the older generation, including Halcion, which
was banned in some countries.
People under the influence of these drugs
have gone on eating binges, driven their cars and engaged in
other activities that they later can't remember. The Wall
Street Journal relates one story of a woman who painted her
front door in her sleep, and in some cases people have had
serious car accidents and even set fore to their homes while
in the seemingly hypnotic state sometimes caused by the
drugs.
Such reports prompted the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) last year to require that Ambien,
Lunesta and other similar drugs carry strong warnings. But
these sleep aids are still wildly popular, and the number of
prescriptions written for them grew by 10% last year.
Ambien CR
Ambien CR (zolpidem tartrate extended release) is different
from Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) in that the medication is
formulated in a 2 layer tablet. The first layer of the
Ambien CR tablet dissolves quickly to help people fall
asleep, while the second layer dissolves slowly over the
night to help people stay asleep (something Ambien has not
demonstrated in trials). The action of both immediate and
continuous release with Ambien CR allows for increased
effectiveness over the night (since blood levels are more
stable 3 to 6 hours after taking medication) and is proven
to be more effective than traditional Ambien in quality of
sleep. Ambien Cr and Ambien have the same active ingredient
so the safety and tolerability profiles are similar. Event
tough Ambien CR helps maintain sleep throughout the middle
of the night it does not increase the risk of "hangover"
effects (same as regular Ambien). A recent long term study
found effectiveness over 6 months, improved morning
concentration and daytime function, and no risk of abuse
with Ambien CR.
Common Side Effects
In controlled clinical trails of Ambien CR, the most
commonly observed adverse effects were headache, somnolence
(sleepiness), and dizziness.
Lunesta
Eszopiclone, marketed by Sepracore under the brand name
Lunesta, ia a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent (a sedative)
used as a treatment for insomnia. Eszopiclone is the active
stereoisomer of zopiclone, and belongs to the class of drugs
known as cyclopyrrones.
Eszopiclone is a short acting
non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic. It has
been shown to be a safe and effective short term treatment
in the elderly and safe in younger adults for 6-12 months. All
clinical trails of eszopiclone published so far are industry
funded by the pharmaceutical manufacturer of eszopiclone,
Sepracor.
Eszopiclone is prescribed for the management
of insomnia. Sedative hypnotic agents including
eszopiclone are among the most studied drugs
to treat insomnia.
Common Side Effects
If a person does not sleep immediately
after taking their Lunesta or if they get up shortly after
taking their medication that may experience dizziness,
lightheadedness, hallucinations, as well as experience
problems with coordination and memory.
Increased Risk of Depression
It has been claimed that insomnia causes depression and
hypothesized that insomnia medications may help to treat
depression. However, an analysis of data of clinical trials
submitted tot he FDA concerning the drugs zolpidem, zaleplon
and
eszopiclone found that
these sedative hypnotic drugs more than doubled the risks of
developing depression compared to those taking placebo
pills. Hypnotic drugs therefore may be contrindicated in
patients suffering from or at risk of depression. Hypnotics
were found to be more likely to cause depression than to
help it. Studies have found that long term users of sedative
hypnotic drugs have a markedly raised suicide risk as well
as an overall increased mortality risk.
If a person has taken
eszopiclone for longer than 1-2 weeks they
should not stop taking the medication abruptly
and should consult their doctor. Usually doctors will direct
a slow reduction in dosage to minimize withdrawl symptoms.
Sonata
Prices
Sleeping Pill Prices found online at
Drugstore.com...
|
Drug |
Quantity |
Price |
|
|
|
|
Ambien 10 mg. tablets |
90 |
$391.02 |
|
Ambein CR 12.5 mg tablets |
90 |
319.97 |
|
|
|
|
Lunesta 1 mg. tablets |
30 |
150.21 |
|
Lunesta 2 mg. tablets |
30 |
153.82 |
|
Lunesta 3 mg. tablets |
30 |
153.83 |
