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Using Sleeping Pills and Anti-Anxiety Medication May Increase Your Risk of Death

Dr. Lisa Shives — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:07:40 +0000

According to Science Daily, a new study published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry shows that the use of medications for treatment of insomnia and anxiety may result in increased risk of death.

The study analyzed 12 years worth of data on over 14,000 Canadians that were obtained through Canada’s National Population Health Survey between the years of 1994 and 2007. Subjects ranged in age between 18 and 102 years. .

After accounting for social demographics, health status and lifestyle factors that increase the risk of mortality, researchers involved in the study determined that the consumption of sleeping pills for the treatment of insomnia or anti-anxiety medications was associated with a 36 percent increase in the risk of death.

Scientists believe that the association between consumption of sleeping and anti-anxiety medication could be caused by several factors, including delayed reaction time and decreased coordination, which could result in more falls and accidents.

People experiencing ongoing insomnia symptoms (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up early) should speak with their doctor or a sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the best method of treatment.

Sleep experts typically recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to ease symptoms before prescribing medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a non-pharmacological way to obtain long- lasting relief for insomnia. Because of potential side effects and addictive properties, sleep medications are typically only used to relieve symptoms for a short period of time. Patients often resist CBT because they think it won’t work but many research studies and my own clinical experience show that it is the best long term treatment for insomnia.

President Obama Needs Medication to Combat Jet Lag Syndrome

Dr. Lisa Shives — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:26:40 +0000

I was interviewed by The Daily Beast (see link below) to comment on which medications the President might be taking to deal with his, at times, grueling travel schedule. The article discusses the use of wake-promoting agents such as Provigil and Nuvigil which can be used responsibly and effectively by patients who are carefully screened and monitored by a sleep physician. The article also discusses hypnotics such as Ambien, Lunesta abd Sonata.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-03-04/the-white-house-mystery-drug/

For good information about medications, I suggest Web MD. Here are the links for the medications mentioned.

1. Provigil: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-16964-Provigil.aspx?drugid=16964&drugname=Provigil

2. Nuvigil: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-152275-Nuvigil+Oral.aspx?drugid=152275&drugname=Nuvigil+Oral&source=1

3. Ambien: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-9690-Ambien+Oral.aspx?drugid=9690&drugname=Ambien+Oral

4. Lunesta: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-92350-LUNESTA+Oral.aspx?drugid=92350&drugname=LUNESTA+Oral

5. Sonata: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-17532-Sonata+Oral.aspx?drugid=17532&drugname=Sonata+Oral&source=1

Michael Jackson and Sedatives/Hypnotics in the News Again

Dr. Lisa Shives — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:15:48 +0000

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal ( http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124951605785809351.html) ran a front page story on Micheal Jackson and his use of Propofol (Diprivan) as a sleeping agent. For those interested in this issue, I blogged about it on July 23, 2009.