Other Medications for Sleep

Although many health care providers have been misled by drug company promotional efforts, the great majority of sleep aids share the same risks as the BZs (see the appendix for a list). Almost all are placed in Schedule IV by the DEA to indicate a risk of abuse and dependence. According the DEA (2006), Ambien and Sonata (zaleplon) are benzodiazepine-like CNS depressants.  

For example, Ambien differs in chemical structure from the BZs but affects the same neurotransmitter system, GABA. The 2007 FDA-approved label for Ambien CR, available in the Physicians Desk Reference., warns that 

Also according to the drug label, in brief, 3-week controlled clinical trials, patients developed hallucinations, disorientation, anxiety, depression, psychomotor retardation (mental and physical slowing), depersonalization, disinhibition, euphoric mood, mood swings, and stress symptoms. Hallucinations were reported in 4% of the Ambien patients and none of the placebo patients. 

The label for Ambien CR also describes separate subheadings for the discussion of memory problems, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. Another subhead, Changes in Behavior and Thinking, lists the following bulleted drug reactions  

The label reported that severe withdrawal reactions made it impossible for many patients to stop taking the medication after the termination of controlled clinical trials. In two clinical trials of only 6 and 8 weeks duration, 7% and 19%, respectively, of patients were unable to withdraw. These are very high rates for the inability to withdraw from a drug after very short exposures. 

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