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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Sleeping

I am currently taking zolpidem er 12.5 mg for about 2 years now. The most my doctor will allow me to take is 1 every other night. When I first started taking them I would sometimes sleep walk and or sleep eat but that has slowed down substantially. My insurance has changed recently and the zolpidem is now to expensive. I have tried all the over the counter sleep aids but they don t work on me. I m desperate to get more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep per night. What can you suggest?
Mon, 12 Jan 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

You are taking Zolpidem 12.5 for last 2 years. Zolpidem belongs to Z-drugs and the drug is known to produce tolerance and now you are compelled to stop taking the drug because of change in insurance policy. OTC sleep aids are not working. Zolpidem acts on GABA receptors and the drug cause dependence and now you are not able to sleep because of withdrawal of the drug. I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist again for help. Medicines like low dose benzodiazepines as clonazepam, lorazepam can help you to reduce the symptoms of insomnia. The drugs can help you in sleeping for some time and then you can gradually reduce the doses in consultation of your doctor to get rid of drugs.

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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Sleeping

Hello thanks for asking from HCM You are taking Zolpidem 12.5 for last 2 years. Zolpidem belongs to Z-drugs and the drug is known to produce tolerance and now you are compelled to stop taking the drug because of change in insurance policy. OTC sleep aids are not working. Zolpidem acts on GABA receptors and the drug cause dependence and now you are not able to sleep because of withdrawal of the drug. I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist again for help. Medicines like low dose benzodiazepines as clonazepam, lorazepam can help you to reduce the symptoms of insomnia. The drugs can help you in sleeping for some time and then you can gradually reduce the doses in consultation of your doctor to get rid of drugs. Thanks, hope this helps you