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 Among the most
popular prescribed
medications for
sleeping are minor
tranquilizers, such
as Valium, Librium,
Tranxene, and Xanax),
and sleeping pills
such as Dalmane,
Ambien, Restoril,
Lunesta, and
Sonata). These
medicines can cause
problems which
include memory loss,
addiction, and
injuries from
accidents which were
caused by
drug-induced
unsteadiness. There
have been recorded
instances of people
taking these
medicines who have
done activities,
such as driving and
eating, while still
asleep. These
medicines also can
cause a serious
allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis).
As with any
medication,
long-term use of
tranquilizers or
sleeping pills often
of limited value and
introduces the risk
of addiction and
mental impairment.
Sleeping pills may
help for a few days
or a few weeks, but
eventually they
cause more problems
than they solve.
Along with
dependency is
rebound insomnia, a
condition in which
symptoms return, and
may even worsen,
after the person
stops taking
sleeping aides. |
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Advertising
Blitz
Don't buy
into them
Ambien,
Lunestsa,
Sonata, and
Rozerem is
being
prescribed
to millions
of Americans
due to the
advertising
blitz on
television
and in
magazines.
According to
the New
England
Journal of
Medicine,
"Background
Evidence
suggests
that
direct-to-consumer
advertising
of
prescription
drugs
increases
pharmaceutical
sales and
both helps
to avert
underuse of
medicines
and leads to
potential
overuse.
Concern
about such
advertising
has
increased
recently
owing to the
withdrawal
from the
market of
heavily
advertised
drugs found
to carry
serious
risks.
Moreover,
the Food and
Drug
Administration
(FDA) has
been
criticized
for its weak
enforcement
of laws
regulating
such
advertising.
" |
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Side Effects
Various side
effects come
with most
sleeping
aides, but
all of them
may cause
dizziness,
headaches,
severe
allergic
reaction, grogginess,
confusion &
lack of
concentration,
forgetful,
drowsy
during the
day,
irritable,
headache,
anxious,
uncoordination
causing
accidents,
depression,
nausea,
constipation,
and changes in
heart rate.
While
long-term
use
increases
the change
for
dependence,
a lot
depends on
the
personality
type using
the
medication
in the first
place. |
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Withdrawals
If
dependence
develops, it
is important
to know
there could
be severe
withdrawals
symptoms if
the user
stops
suddenly. It
is
recommended
that
supervision
by a health
professional
oversee the
process as
withdrawal
symptoms
could be
severe:
irritability,
anxiety,
agitation,
vomiting,
abdominal
cramps,
diarrhea,
sweating,
increased
heart rate,
tremors and
seizures. |
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It is duly noted
here that if you are
taking any of these
medications, do not
drink alcohol.
Unintended side
effects can occur.
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