In 2019, following 20 reported deaths and 46 serious injuries caused by these drugs, the FDA mandated that certain sleep aid drugs include black-box warnings, which call attention to the serious risks of taking these drugs. These black-box warnings are now found on the packaging for eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien). However, that may not keep some people from abusing these sedatives. (more…)
According to a 2017 review published in the journal The Gerontologist, about 1 in 5 adults use an over-the-counter sleep aid medication to get some shut eye.1 While the study cited Benadryl as being one of the most commonly used sleep-inducing drugs (even though it’s actually intended to treat allergy symptoms), the long-term use and misuse of over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids like Sonata, Doral, Trazodone, and Ambien may increase a person’s risk for developing a substance use problem with more harmful drugs or illegal substances. (more…)