Archive for 'Medication'
Lunesta …… miracle sleeping pill?
Copyright 2005 Wendy Owen
Lunesta! What’s all the fuss about?
It even sounds festive doesn’t it ? And it appears that
with this sleep medication, there may well be cause for
celebration!
It’s been some months now since Lunesta first appeared on
the scene and was blessed by the FDA. So how has this
non-narcotic, non habit forming sleep aid been performing?
Well from the information I have gathered, it seems Lunesta
is stacking up very well compared to the other available
forms of prescription sleep medication.
Lunesta (generic name Eszopiclone) was brought out by a
company called Sepracor which has done extensive tests on
the medication, the majority of which have had positive
results so far, although the tests are still ongoing.
One of the greatest advantages of Lunesta is that it is
the only sleep medication approved for long term use. This
is a boon for those with chronic insomnia. In some cases
the insomnia has been known to disappear altogether. Tests
have shown those who have stopped taking Lunesta haven’t
suffered any rebound insomnia or withdrawal, both well
known problems for those taking the benzodiazepine
medications.
Another major advantage is that Lunesta is useful for both
sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia. Meaning it will
work as well for those who for have trouble falling asleep
as for those who have trouble staying asleep. A caveat here
though, Lunesta should be taken just before going to bed as
it a fast acting medication. Don’t take Lunesta and then
take a trip to the movies! Also make sure you have eight
hours set aside for sleep as it is also long lasting (no
driving the car please before that time!)
Lunesta is available in 1, 2 and 3 mg tablets. It’s best to
start with a low dose and increase if needed.
Possible Side Effects
Every medication can have it’s side effects and those that
are possible with Lunesta include:
Next day drowsiness
Dizziness
Headaches
Uncoordination
Lunesta should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding
women as the effect on infants is not yet known. See your
doctor first.
Lunesta and Depression
If you’ve ever been depressed, you’ll remember those
agonizing hours between 2 and 4am tossing and turning and
worrying about everything! What can you do when your
depression medication precludes taking any form of sleeping
aid? Never fear! Tests have shown that Lunesta is well
tolerated by those taking Prozac (an anti-depressant drug)
A ten week survey was done comparing patients on Prozac
and Lunesta with patients on Prozac and a placebo (sugar
pill)
Results found the Lunesta patients showed significant
improvements. They fell asleep more quickly, stayed asleep
longer and were more alert during the day.
Lunesta is available on prescription in the US. It’s not
yet available in Australia (that’s why they call us “down
under”!) Those in other countries would need to ask their
doctor.
———-
This article is for informational purposes only and should
not replace individual medical advice from you health care
provider.
Want to cure insomnia and have better sleep? Find out how.
Check out
http://www.insomnia-connection.com your resource for
detailed information on better sleep and curing stress. The
author, Wendy Owen, has had a lifetime interest in general
and alternative health as well as being an ex insomniac
Lunesta Side Effects
By Ian Mason
Before you decide to buy Lunesta, make sure you have read over all pertinent information about how Lunesta works, and what side effects you might experience.
Let’s go over Lunesta Side Effects
If you notice any of the following side effects, stop taking Lunesta immediately and contact your local emergency room. They include allergic reactions; symptoms of which include breathing problems; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; closing of your throat; and hives.
Consult with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any other, less serious side effects such as confusion; drowsiness, clumsiness, or dizziness during the day; aggressive behavior and violent mood swings; any unusual behavior; amnesia (memory loss); agitation; depression or hallucination.
A few other less serious side effects are those which you may have to deal with on a more common basis. These common Lunesta side effects include headaches and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If these side effects become annoying or persistent, please get in touch with your doctor to see what could be done about this.
Another thing you should know about sleeping pills in general is that a certain inconvenience could occur when stopping treatment after prolonged use of the medication. This is known as “rebound insomnia,” and it’s a term for when someone has even more trouble sleeping after they’ve stopped treatment, than they did before they starting taking the sleeping pill. Don’t worry, though. The problem usually stops by itself after the first or second night.
Althought Lunesta is not a narcotic or an opiate like many prescription medications, it may still be habit-forming. This means that you could become addicted to it, as your body becomes dependent on the medication to feel good. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking Lunesta suddenly, as you could experience withdrawal symptoms after taking Lunesta for several weeks or longer. A simple chat with yor doctor will give you all the information you need about taking this sleep aid safely.
As with all medications, side effects other than those listed in this article may occur. If you notice any other unusual symptoms that are especially bothersome, please alert your doctor as soon as possible.
———-
Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Mason
Sleeping Pills - An Effective Alternative
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Sleeping Pills - An Effective Alternative
- By Donald Saunders
(c) Donald Saunders All Rights Reserved
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Overcoming insomnia is a journey - and, as you may have
discovered, it can also be a matter of trial and response.
Undertaken systematically overcoming insomnia and getting a
good night’s sleep is an ultimately rewarding process. But,
if you’ve already made basic changes to your diet and sleep
routine, and you’ve tried specific techniques for reducing
stress and improving the quality of your sleep, you may be
tempted to turn to artificial sleep aids like sleeping
pills.
While sleeping pills may promise a miracle cure for
insomnia, the inherent risks of taking sleeping pills to
combat insomnia are myriad. Regardless of whether you opt
for short-term sleeping pills or a longer course,
barbiturates, benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines alike
all carry similar risks - namely the potential for over-use
or, in the worst cases, the possibility of addiction.
Because sleeping pills serve to depress your body’s nervous
system in order to create an artificial “sleep”, they do not
facilitate the essential healing and restorative cycles and
functions normally undertaken by your body during sleep.
That’s why taking sleeping pills can often leave you feeling
drowsy or inadequately rested in the morning.
Instead of turning to sleeping pills to overcome insomnia,
try using one of the numerous natural and time-tested
remedies that are widely available. Often referred to as a
“natural sleeping pill”, melatonin offers one viable sleep-
enhancing option.
Melatonin is the hormone naturally produced by your body to
induce sleep, and many people have successfully restored
their own productive sleep patterns by using melatonin to
help stimulate the body’s own urge to sleep. Melatonin can
be an effective natural alternative to sleeping pills, but
should nonetheless be used with caution as it is not yet
regulated by any government body.
Herbal remedies are another excellent alternative to
sleeping pills and also to melatonin. Consumed in the form
of herbal teas and supplements, or even as aromatherapy,
herbs like valerian root and chamomile have been lauded as
effective sleep-enhancers for centuries. Unlike melatonin
or sleeping pills, chamomile does not have to be consumed
over a period of time before it becomes effective.
Chamomile tea can be used on an as-needed basis and many
people have used its sleep-enhancing qualities to
successfully combat bouts of insomnia.
Slightly stronger than chamomile and usually taken in pill
form, valerian root is another well-known herbal sedative
recognized for its ability to overcome insomnia and promote
quality sleep. Valerian’s sleep-inducing properties are so
effective that it is actually medically recognized as the
herbal equivalent of Valium(TM). Indeed, it is said that
the name Valium(TM) was derived from Valerian, although
Valium(TM) itself is not otherwise connected with valerian
in any way.
As with all adjustments to your sleep cycle or sleep
routine, you should choose one natural sleep remedy and
then use it consistently for two weeks before making any
other changes – this gives your body time to incorporate and
respond to the sleep enhancing benefits of the remedy you
have chosen.
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Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related
e-books including “Help Me To Sleep - A Guide To Natural
Sleep Remedies”
Need to cure your insomnia and get a good night’s sleep?
Visit => http://neozigpig.thewmc.hop.clickbank.net
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