The FDA recently announced that all pharmacists must dispense a flier to all consumers who pick up a prescription for 13 commonly prescribed sleeping pills. Although "rare", the Agency has determined that strong new warnings are needed because these drugs are causing a significant public health concern - namely, side effects like "sleep-walking", "sleep-eating", "sleep-driving" and other behavioral effects.
The aggressive marketing of these sleeping pills (we all know "the moth") has lead to this class of drugs dominating most of our employers most frequently prescribed drugs. Review DocTalk # 6 for a list of common anti-anxiety, depression and sleeping pills (Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril, Rozerem and others).
To listen to the DocTalk seminars, go to http://doctalk.webex.com and in the upper right corner click View All Recorded Events. Then select the one titled 'Top 10 Prescribed Drugs: Best Value Choices, Alternatives and Questions to ask your doctor'.
Then make sure that if you and or a loved one takes a "sleeping pill" that you review its use with your doctor. Review earlier DocTalks and realize that a healthy diet, daily exercise, limiting alchohol and healthy responses to your stressors (which you can learn) - will make you sleep, well, "like a baby"!
Have a great week!
Dr.Mike
