Sleeping Pills May Cause Sleep Walking and Amnesia

March 29th, 2006

More Americans than ever are turning to sleep medications to get through the night. Ads promising safe slumber with little or no side effects may be behind this new trend. Many of us lead stressful lives — at the office, in our long commutes, raising children, and caring for older parents. It may be next to impossible to tune it all out at night.

Health experts are concerned that these drugs may be over-prescribed. About 42 million prescriptions for sleeping pills were filled in 2005, up nearly 60 percent since 2000. At least 10 percent of U.S. adults complain of having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. Although the newer drugs may not carry the same risk of dependence as the older ones (usually barbiturates), there is concern that they can sometimes cause strange side effects.

Episodes of sleepwalking or short-term amnesia may be connected to their long term use. In taking sleeping pills, many experience continued sleepiness for several hours after awakening.

Among the most commonly prescribed sleep aids are Ambien and Lunesta. The drug Sonata is shorter acting and may work better for persons who have difficulty falling asleep but who are able to sleep through the night.

Some psychiatrists believe that difficulty sleeping can be a sign of multiple disorders. Among them might be anxiety and depression, problems which are not being addressed.

Developing sleep-promoting habits in the hours just prior to bedtime could solve your insomnia better than taking pills, in the long run. Suggested strategies:  Use your bed only for sleep and for sex; take a warm shower to relax; don’t watch violent movies just before bedtime; don’t exercise in the late evening hours; drink a glass of warm milk; avoid caffeine in the evening; gently wind down your conversations; listen to a relaxation tape at bedtime; try to fall asleep in the same general time frame each night.

Labels on sleep medications warn that they should be used only when you can devote a full night to sleeping. If taken in the wee hours of the morning, these drugs could cause sleepiness when driving to work or school or even temporary memory loss.

Newer drugs, such as Rozerem, are coming on the market which may pose fewer long-term risks. This drug acts on the brain’s melatonin receptors, thought to play a role in sleeping and waking cycles.

The best strategy, if possible, is to avoid taking pills to sleep each night. Reducing the stress in your life, developing good sleep preparation habits, or addressing any psychological problems with your doctor may be the wisest course.

Sources:  New York Times (date?) (www.nytimes.com); Dr. Dean Edell, ABC daily broadcasts (www.healthcentral.com) 

Entry Filed under: Amnesia,PRESCRIPTION DRUGS,SLEEP DISORDERS