The good news about Lunesta is that it's been approved for long-term use, unlike other sleep medications that advise short term usage - one week to 10 days, and four weeks at the most.
OTHER DRUGS
Two previous sleep medications, zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) and zaleplon (Sonata) are expected to follow suit and also ask for approval for long term use. Ambien and Sonata are both hypnotics.More new drugs for the treatment of insomnia are currently being developed, Indiplon will be launched later this year in both immediate and extended-release formations. Indiplon improves sleep by enhancing the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA
MORE MEDICATIONS BEING TESTED
Two more, Ramelteon, a melatonin receptor agonist (it mimics the sleep inducing hormone melatonin) and gaboxodol (it mimics the amino acid, GABA) are currently in trials. What does all this mean? Possibly, more sleep for insomniacs. But some medical professionals have expressed concern over the simplicity of popping a pill to get a better sleep. While all agree that sleep is necessary and that sleep deprivation causes both mental and physical health problems, yet maybe these long-term solutions are just a bit too easy.
SOME CONCERNS
Often, insomnia is not a disorder in itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem, sometimes a mental disorder including depression or anxiety, or a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. The patient relies on the pill to help him sleep and these other conditions remain untreated.
Another concern is that people will rely on a pill instead of learning and practicing good sleep hygiene - regular bedtimes, exercise, a reduction in the use of stimulants such as coffee, and not drinking alcohol in excessive amounts.
The article also touches on the connection between insomnia and obesity. Although this has not been definitely proven, more and more evidence points to this possibility.
STATISTICS
It's estimated that between 60 and 70 million people suffer from insomnia in one form or another, either occasionally or for years at a time, and these people are spending billions of dollars on prescription medications and even more on over-the-counter remedies. Other drugs sometimes used to prevent insomnia are antidepressants (drugs that stimulate the moods of depressed patients and antihistamines, drugs that block allergies.) Drowsiness is a side effect of these drugs.
Many of these medications cause side effects that include grogginess in the morning, or what is commonly known as the hang-over effect. Tests indicate that the new drug, Lunesta, has a very low incidence of this. Also some of these drugs, when the patient stops taking them, especially cold turkey, cause troublesome withdrawal symptoms.
Talk to your doctor. Tell him about other symptoms as well as the insomnia. Take a good look at your lifestyle. Are you practicing If no underlying cause can be found, and if you are doing your best to get a good night's sleep, and nothing seems to be working, then perhaps it may be time to try a sleeping pill - eve one of the new ones, like Lunesta.
