The Dark Side Of Sleep Drugs

Everyone has an occasional sleepless night, and this is not a problem for most people. However, as many as 25% of Americans report occasional sleeping problems. Insomnia is a chronic problem for about 10% of the population. In these cases, the lack of restful sleep impairs the person's ability to carry out daily responsibilities because they are too tired or they have trouble concentrating. The best measure of the amount of sleep needed is how you feel. If you awaken feeling refreshed, you are getting enough sleep. For some, this could take up to 10 hours of sleep.

Strong, prescription sedatives do not produce a natural, restful sleep. In addition, you can develop tolerance or dependence on these drugs. In this case, the same dose of the drug no longer produces sleep, which may lead you to try a higher dose. The circular situation becomes worse. Higher doses worsen the chance of dependence, tolerance, and side effects. Stopping these medications can cause a rebound insomnia and withdrawal.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered companies to place strong new warnings on thirteen drugs that treat sleep disorders. It also ordered the makers of the sleeping pills to provide information for patients explaining how to safely use the drugs. The FDA announced that some of these drugs can have unexpected and dangerous effects. These include the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions. They also include rare incidents of strange behavior. These include people cooking food, eating and even driving while asleep. The patients later had no memory of doing these activities while asleep.

The FDA did not say in its announcement how many cases of sleep-driving it has documented. However, the New York Times reported last year about people who said they had strange sleep events after taking the drug Ambien. Some reported sleep-driving and sleep-walking. Others said they found evidence after waking in the morning that they had cooked food or eaten in their sleep. But they had no memory of carrying out the activities.

According to an unnamed FDA official, these serious side effects of sleep disorder drugs appear to be rare. But, he also said there are probably more cases than are reported. He said the agency believes the risk of such behaviors could be reduced if people take the drugs as directed and do not drink alcohol while taking the drugs. The FDA has further advised drug companies to carry out studies to investigate the problem.

The National Institute Of Health website, MedLine Plus, lists possible side effects from taking these drugs. The following is just 3 of the popular sleep drugs currently available.

Ambien (Zolpidem)
Possible Side Effects: drowsiness, headache, dizziness, 'drugged feeling', loss of coordination, upset stomach, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, stomach pain or tenderness, changes in appetite, shaking of a part of the body that you cannot control, burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs, unusual dreams, dry mouth or throat, cold symptoms, pain or pressure in the face, ringing, pain, or itching in the ears, eye redness, blurred vision or other vision problems, muscle aches or cramps, joint, back, or neck pain
Ambien Serious Side Effects (considered rare): rash, hives, itching, pounding heartbeat, chest pain, fever

Lunesta (Eszopiclone)
Possible Side Effects: unpleasant taste, headache, cold-like symptoms, pain, daytime drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of coordination, upset stomach, vomiting, heartburn, unusual dreams, decreased sexual desire, painful menstruation (periods), breast enlargement in males.
Lunesta Serious Side Effects (considered rare): rash, itching, chest pain, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, painful or frequent urination, bloody or cloudy urine, back pain.

Rozerum (Ramelteon)
Possible Side Effects: drowsiness or tiredness, dizziness, upset stomach, changes in the way food tastes, muscle or joint pain, stuffy or runny nose, cough, or other cold symptoms, flu-like symptoms.
Rozerum Serious Side Effects (considered rare): stopping of menstrual periods, milky discharge from the nipples, decreased sexual desire, fertility problems, depression.

Comment: It continues to baffle me that millions of these sleep drugs are sold and taken, regardless of the risks to health and safety, while a number of "natural formulas like Power To Sleep PM" are available, inexpensive, effective and rarely result in any side effects.

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Tanning & Natural Health News is a publication of Tan Plus /Essentials Of Life, Barclay Square, 350 Route 108, Somersworth, NH. This publication is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be presented as medical advice. Product statements made have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.