Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Having Sleeping Problem. Suggested Ativan. Taking Zolfresh. Cannot Sleep Without Medicine. Guide?
Question: im 58 years old female and was having sleeping problem.a friend suggested i mg ativan and now i take 1/2 of it evry night.i was told to take zolfresh instead by my doctor.i m confused as which medicine is better as i do not want to get addicted.i can not sleep without the medine till 3 am..pl. guide me.
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Ativan is lorazepam and its a benzodiazepine drug. It is a good hypnotic drug used in insomnia for short term management. You were taking 1 mg Ativan daily and then reduced its doses to 0.5 mg per day. Now you have been asked to take Zolpidem tablet instead of Ativan. Zolpidem is a drug which is different from ativan and it is also a good hypnotic drug. Zolpidem is comparatively less addicting than ativan and it has also less abuse potential than ativan. If you have been asked to take zolpidem instead of ativan then you can take this drug without any fear. It is less addicting and is free of serious side effects.
Thanks
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Ativan is lorazepam and its a benzodiazepine drug. It is a good hypnotic drug used in insomnia for short term management. You were taking 1 mg Ativan daily and then reduced its doses to 0.5 mg per day. Now you have been asked to take Zolpidem tablet instead of Ativan. Zolpidem is a drug which is different from ativan and it is also a good hypnotic drug. Zolpidem is comparatively less addicting than ativan and it has also less abuse potential than ativan. If you have been asked to take zolpidem instead of ativan then you can take this drug without any fear. It is less addicting and is free of serious side effects.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you dr.bishnoi for the help. is it possible to leave taking these medicine? if not thn is it ok to take fr the lifetime?is there any other way to get rid of sleeping disorder? do i start taking 1/2 zolfresh? what time one should take it?
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to XXXXXXX
- Yes one can get rid of these medicines after successful treatment if gradual tapering of doses is done. It is not advisable to take these medicines for longer periods of time.
- For short term management of insomnia these medicines are commonly used. Once sleep is restored the drug dose should be tapered and sleep hygiene should be improved. It includes measures as
> Fix the time to go to bed
> Use the bed only for sleeping and no other work should be done on bed. Even avoid watching TV from bed. Dont use bed for reading or any other work that requires concentration.
> Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol or carbonated drinks in evening. Avoid chocolate in evening.
> Avoid exercise in evening. Light yoga helps in sleep.
> Dont think about sleep again and again. Excessive worries about not getting sleep further deteriorates the problem and which aggravate insomnia and ultimately increase in stress. Ultimately a vicious cycle of worry and insomnia is formed. Best is to not to take excess stress about sleep.
> Changing bed position some times helps in good sleep.
- If even after these medicines no improvement occurs then I would advise you to consult your psychiatrist for sleep problems. Many medicines like low dose Mirtazepine helps to relieve anxiety and result in good sleep. This is non addicting.
- You can start with half tablet and depending upon response can increase the dose to full tablet (10 mg).
- Take the tablet in night after meals about 15-20 minutes before going to bed.
Thanks
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to XXXXXXX
- Yes one can get rid of these medicines after successful treatment if gradual tapering of doses is done. It is not advisable to take these medicines for longer periods of time.
- For short term management of insomnia these medicines are commonly used. Once sleep is restored the drug dose should be tapered and sleep hygiene should be improved. It includes measures as
> Fix the time to go to bed
> Use the bed only for sleeping and no other work should be done on bed. Even avoid watching TV from bed. Dont use bed for reading or any other work that requires concentration.
> Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol or carbonated drinks in evening. Avoid chocolate in evening.
> Avoid exercise in evening. Light yoga helps in sleep.
> Dont think about sleep again and again. Excessive worries about not getting sleep further deteriorates the problem and which aggravate insomnia and ultimately increase in stress. Ultimately a vicious cycle of worry and insomnia is formed. Best is to not to take excess stress about sleep.
> Changing bed position some times helps in good sleep.
- If even after these medicines no improvement occurs then I would advise you to consult your psychiatrist for sleep problems. Many medicines like low dose Mirtazepine helps to relieve anxiety and result in good sleep. This is non addicting.
- You can start with half tablet and depending upon response can increase the dose to full tablet (10 mg).
- Take the tablet in night after meals about 15-20 minutes before going to bed.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
