Brief Answer:
Treatment depends on cause, you have been given right medicines.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

I can understand your concern.

Insomnia is of two types:

- Primary Insomnia: Sleep disturbance is the problem and there is no other physical or psychological problem.

- Secondary Insomnia: Sleep disturbance is secondary to some physical or psychological problem.

In both cases sleeping pills from benzodiazepine group are useful. However in secondary type, mainstay of the treatment is to treat underlying physical or psychological problem.

You have been given clonazepam(Rivotril/lonazep). It is very good drug for sleep without any significant side effect.

Every drug in allopathy has some side effects. It does not mean that we should not take it. Most of the side effects are tolerable and not serious. Any drug can be used safely if taken under medical supervision.

It is myth that it is always difficult to stop sleeping pills. Yes, it can happen if it is taken without doctors' guidance. When this drug is taken with doctor's supervision, dose can be gradually tapered off and medicine can be stopped without significant problem.

Zolpidem or zopiclone are the medicines from benzo group with least dependence potential and very much useful in acute insomnia. They can be stopped very easily. Ask your treating doctor about the same. If your doctor agrees, he can prescribe you the same.

Also try to search for cause of insomnia, if any and try to get rid of it.

Some other measures for sound sleep called Sleep Hygiene should also be applied. You can find them in following link: http://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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