Q&A: Mixing sleep meds?

I took eszopiclone (Lunesta), then zolpidem (Ambien and generic), for my chronic insomnia, but each stopped working after awhile. Now my doctor is recommending I take both pills together. Is that safe? —B.F., via e-mail

Probably not. While combining those drugs increases the likelihood of falling asleep, it also increases your risk of side effects, including daytime sleepiness, dependency, dizziness, memory problems, rebound insomnia, sleepwalking, and even sleep-driving. And we could find no studies documenting the safety of that regimen. Instead, make sure your doctor has evaluated you for an underlying condition that could hinder sleep, including anxiety, arthritis, depression, heart disease, or sleep apnea. In addition to treating any underlying problems, consider non-drug measures to improve sleep, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which research has shown to be at least as effective as drugs. For more information, go to www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org and search for "insomnia."

This article first appeared in the May 2008 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.

Read the latest Best Buy Drugs report on insomnia drugs, and check out our new report and survey on America's sleeping habits.

Comments

[Ambien Prescription Medication]

My name is Cherise Kenner and i would like to show you my personal experience with Ambien.

I have taken for 1 years. I am 57 years old. Works great if I take it on an empty stomach, and get right into bed. If you take it and try to keep yourself awake, you can override the pill and be up all night.

Side Effects :
None.

I hope this information will be useful to others,
Cherise Kenner

[A. Smith]

I'm 64 years old male and occasionally had trouble staying asleep, awakening at 3 AM, and then often wasn't able to get back to sleep.
I found that if I drank more than 2 glasses of wine with dinner that I was likely to wake up halfway through the night. Even after I limited my wine intake, I sometimes had trouble staying asleep all night. I started taking 1.5 mg of melatonin about an hour before bedtime. That has worked very well in getting to sleep and staying asleep. I tried larger doses, but found no additional benefit, but I felt groggy when I woke up in the morning at anything more than 1.5 mg. When I travel, I continue taking melatonin an hour before bedtime in whatever time zone I'm in. Is there any downside to taking melatonin?