Get Informed: Insomnia
1 in 14 people have Insomnia
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 157,390 patients with Insomnia from around the United States as shown on the heat map below. These figures suggest that roughly 21.2 million Americans have Insomnia with men and women both being affected in similar numbers.
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
Medications used for Insomnia
Drugs commonly taken by iGuard users for Insomnia are listed below, together with the percentage of patients that take each drug.
|
Commonly Used Medication Name* (Hover mouse over name to see medication class) |
% of Patients | Average Risk Rating | Has Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambien | 36% |
|
Yes |
| Desyrel | 9% |
|
Yes |
| Benadryl | 7% |
|
Yes |
| Melatonin | 6% |
|
Yes |
| Lunesta | 6% |
|
No |
| Seroquel | 5% |
|
No |
| Xanax | 5% |
|
Yes |
Less than 5%: Excedrin P.M., Ativan, Amitriptyline, Restoril, Klonopin, Tylenol, Valium
*This list is NOT EXHAUSTIVE - Only drugs used by a sufficiently large number of iGuard users are listed.
**Medications are sometimes known by different brand/generic names, depending upon how they are packaged or used.
Global Patient Feedback for Insomnia ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
why will some or most docotors wont script you medication when you are taking a sleep aid when you're seriously suffering insomnia like I am, that I haven't slept since Sept 2004
52 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-30 02:28:34
Question/Comment:
I use Ambien CR to treat my insomnia and I think it works great it allows me to fall asleep withing an hour of taking it and stay asleep which helps me feel well rested and ready to start my day. My Doctor however does not want to keep perscribing the Ambien and has since put me on Seroquel to treat my insomnia/anxiety/deppression. Now I feel completly sedated, like I am in a fog all day, in and out of conciousness. Does anyone know of any long term risks to taking Ambien? I cannot function on the Seroquel. I have tried to lower the dose but then it doesn't keep me to sleep which is the main reason he prescribe it. Any suggestions?
28 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-24 10:52:29
iGuard Answer/Reply:
You need to talk to your doctor to find out why he/she no longer wants to prescribe Ambien CR. Perhaps he/she feels that treatment of your depression and anxiety will help to improve your sleeping problems. Fatigue, drowsiness, and grogginess are side effects of Seroquel. If these side effects are effecting your quality of life, you should let your doctor know how you are feeling on Seroquel. You may ask about trying an antidepressant (such as Effexor, Celexa, Lexapro, Pristiq, Paxil, Prozac, or Zoloft) that is less likely to cause drowsiness and use Ambien CR or an anti-anxiety medication as needed until you begin to feel better with the antidepressant. Please make a follow up appointment with your doctor to discuss the reasons for his/her treatment choices and to evaluate how you are currently responding to Seroquel.
Posted: 2010-04-09 11:18:50
Answer/Reply:
It seems many doctors refuse to prescribe Ambien because of its "addictive properties". My MD gave me Desyrel (Trazodone) which originally was used as an anti-depressant. Then it became popular to use it as a sleeping med due to its side effect of sleepiness. It, too, like Seroquel, puts me in a fog. I am lucky because I have been able to get Ambien from friends and relatives. This is a big No-No yet the incredible sleep and refreshed feeling I have when using Ambien is so worth it. Good Luck.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-20 22:58:16
Question/Comment:
Has anyone tried both Ambien CR and Lunesta, at different times of course, and if so which did they prefer. I have been on Ambien CR for over 2 years and everything you read says sleep aids should be used for short term use. The only time I am pain free is when I get my 6-7 hours of sleep using Ambien CR. I read where Lunesta can be used for long term use so am wondering if I should ask my doctor to switch to that? I would like to go without any sleep aid, but when I have I toss and turn.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-06 15:05:41
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Many medications can be used for sleep. Most medications are not approved for long-term use because studies show that the body becomes reliant on the medications for sleep, and a true sleep pattern is not established (going through each phase of sleep). With both Ambien and Lunesta, there is an addiction potential. Work with your physician to find the best medication for you conditions and medical history. As your body becomes used to a medication, it may not work as well and that is the time to discuss changing your regimen.
Posted: 2010-03-17 11:54:25
Question/Comment:
Yep, I'm with you all on these comments. BUt try this, My girlfriend whom I share many long sleepless nights told me anout taking 600mg of calicium before going to bed. I have tried all the other stuff and do not care for the really horrible nightmares, dry mouth, sinuses, etc.... And calcium will not harm you.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-29 13:15:26
Answer/Reply:
I am 52 m7y nutrtionist suggested I try some Calcium for going thru menapause and it also had an added benefit. It helps you fall asleep at night. She told me to take Calcium Citrate 1,000mg and Calcium Citrate is better absorbed than the carbonate kind, also taking Vitamin D-3 2,000 IU helps the with the absortion process. Sounds good to me. T.C. Jody
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-17 04:53:14
Question/Comment:
12/01/09
Tuesday
11:10 AM PST
I have been on a few drugs as I have two mechanical heart valves. Also Hep. C , and in the last few month they found that my body does not or has stopped absorbing calcium which has cause me to break bone. Something that I had never done before. Anyway I have been on methadone for pain since 1996. Methadone has caused a huge problem in my sleep pattern. Also I am diabetic, I think between the methadone and diabetes, which causes me to not urinate in the day, but every two hours at night, I have had not regular sleep in about ten years. I tried Trazadone, which worked too well. I slept with my mouth open, my sinus dried out in my sleep and I woke up with a headache that later turned into a migraine. I have been debating trying Ambian, but I feel I take too many pills now, I do not want to keep taking more different kinds.
L.L.S.
Portland, Oregon
56 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-01 14:21:20
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42
Patient Comments About
Insomnia