Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suffering From Insomnia. Not Cured By Medicine. What Should I Do To Get Cure?
Question: Dear Doctor,
I have already consulted number of Doctors in your panel.I am suffering from Insomnia for last 6 moths.I ahve been taking various medicines like Zolpidem-5mg most of the time and alternatively Aplrax-0.5mg,Larpose-2mg.I have not been able to get out of this.Nowadays I am taking Nurokind G and Ativan-2mg for 2 weeks.Can you suggest some way to taper off the medicine.Even with this I am not sleeping well.
I have already consulted number of Doctors in your panel.I am suffering from Insomnia for last 6 moths.I ahve been taking various medicines like Zolpidem-5mg most of the time and alternatively Aplrax-0.5mg,Larpose-2mg.I have not been able to get out of this.Nowadays I am taking Nurokind G and Ativan-2mg for 2 weeks.Can you suggest some way to taper off the medicine.Even with this I am not sleeping well.
Hello XXXXXXX ....
Thanks for your query. Sedatives like alprax/larpose are not recommended for use beyond six weeks considering their abuse and addiction potential. You need not worry that you are dependent on the above drugs. We generally shift such patients to a regimen of longer acting benzodiazepine like clonazepam and then gradually taper it off. You can discuss with your psychiatrist regarding this option. Zolpidem is safer in this regard. Additionally i would suggest you to follow following steps of sleep hygiene:
1. Wake up at fixed time every day irrespective of when you go to sleep
2. Avoid tea/coffee/carbonated drinks after 7 PM
3. Comfortable bed, adequate darkness in room
4. Avoid lying down in bed except night for eg while watching TV
5. Avoid heavy meals in night
6.Avoid noon nap
Try to follow the above suggestions. Wish you sound sleep.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Thanks for your query. Sedatives like alprax/larpose are not recommended for use beyond six weeks considering their abuse and addiction potential. You need not worry that you are dependent on the above drugs. We generally shift such patients to a regimen of longer acting benzodiazepine like clonazepam and then gradually taper it off. You can discuss with your psychiatrist regarding this option. Zolpidem is safer in this regard. Additionally i would suggest you to follow following steps of sleep hygiene:
1. Wake up at fixed time every day irrespective of when you go to sleep
2. Avoid tea/coffee/carbonated drinks after 7 PM
3. Comfortable bed, adequate darkness in room
4. Avoid lying down in bed except night for eg while watching TV
5. Avoid heavy meals in night
6.Avoid noon nap
Try to follow the above suggestions. Wish you sound sleep.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor,
Thanks !I have tried Clonazepam-0.25mg but it does not work Should I try a higher dose-say 0.5mg.How long should it be taken and how does one taper it off?.I have already taken Zolpidem for long time and 5 mg does not work-it gives sleep only for 2- 3 hours.
My problem is I have no psychiatrist whom I can consult.Can Clonazepam be taken alone or with Nurokind G?Thanks for your other suggestions.I am extremely worried about the habit forming.My work is affected.I have pain in my head and hands are stiff.What is the Indian brand name for Clonazepam?Awaiting your reply
Thanks !I have tried Clonazepam-0.25mg but it does not work Should I try a higher dose-say 0.5mg.How long should it be taken and how does one taper it off?.I have already taken Zolpidem for long time and 5 mg does not work-it gives sleep only for 2- 3 hours.
My problem is I have no psychiatrist whom I can consult.Can Clonazepam be taken alone or with Nurokind G?Thanks for your other suggestions.I am extremely worried about the habit forming.My work is affected.I have pain in my head and hands are stiff.What is the Indian brand name for Clonazepam?Awaiting your reply
Hello........
Clonazepam comes in trade name of petril/clonotril/rivotril. You can start with 1 mg in the night, reduce to 0.5 mg after 2 weeks, 0.25 mg after 4 weeks and stop altogether after 6 weeks. You can take neurokind-g along with it. Zolpidem you can take 5 mg tab only on those nights when necessary. Kindly follow the steps of sleep hygiene i mentioned to you earlier. This is a common problem and easily treatable. Do not worry.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Clonazepam comes in trade name of petril/clonotril/rivotril. You can start with 1 mg in the night, reduce to 0.5 mg after 2 weeks, 0.25 mg after 4 weeks and stop altogether after 6 weeks. You can take neurokind-g along with it. Zolpidem you can take 5 mg tab only on those nights when necessary. Kindly follow the steps of sleep hygiene i mentioned to you earlier. This is a common problem and easily treatable. Do not worry.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Doc,Thanks for reply!This means that I have to take Clonazepam in reduced dosage as mentioned by you in a total of 12 weeks!This is 3 months! What about the side effects?Is it OK to take Nurokind G which also has side effects? Iam already suffering from side effects.What is the purpose of Nurokind-G?I will also try to XXXXXXX Dr XXXXXXX Mundhra of Hunduja Hospital Mumbai.
Hello...
Ya you are right, it is a 3-month tapering regimen ! Though many do not follow this, this is the safest and guidelines-recommended way of tapering off sedatives. Else you may land up with rebound anxiety symptoms and insomnia. Neurokind G is a combination of mecobalamin, vitamin b12 and gabapentin which has pain-relieving properties. This drug does not have any significant side-effects. However, it has got nothing to do with your insomnia issue. Hope you gained some insight into the issue after our interaction.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Ya you are right, it is a 3-month tapering regimen ! Though many do not follow this, this is the safest and guidelines-recommended way of tapering off sedatives. Else you may land up with rebound anxiety symptoms and insomnia. Neurokind G is a combination of mecobalamin, vitamin b12 and gabapentin which has pain-relieving properties. This drug does not have any significant side-effects. However, it has got nothing to do with your insomnia issue. Hope you gained some insight into the issue after our interaction.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
