Prescription Drugs: Sleep Medication

Overview
Amytal Ambien Lunesta Sonata

“With such rampant accessibility, and a perceived blessing

from medical professionals, it’s no wonder so many people
fall prey to the power of sleeping pills.”
 History of Sleep Medicine
❏ Alcohol, herbs used as “sleeping potions” and
opium were used in the past
❏ Morphine and cannabis have been prescribed for
sleep
❏ Queen Victoria had cannabis prescribed for
sleep
❏ Barbiturates (the salts of barbituric acid) were
used in the first half of the Twentieth Century
❏ Patients often got addicted and overdosed,
and this introduced the idea of sleeping pills
being used for suicide
❏ Developed in 1963 Valium was the most
prescribed drug in the US between 1969 and
1982.
Logistics-How is it taken?
When to take sleeping pills?
❏ Most sleeping pills should be
taken right before you get in
bed
❏ Only take sleeping pills when
you are able to sleep 7-8 hours
❏ Don't take sleeping pills in the
Prescribed sleeping medication is often taken
middle of the night
orally in the form of pills, although there are
other more natural sleep remedies such as teas
or essential oils that people may also use.
 Sonata

How Addictive is the Drug? - Abusers may break the

capsules open and snort
the contents which
Ambien makes the “buzz” more
intense.
- Addiction can form - Sedative behaviors can
Amytal within as little as 2 also trigger unnerving
weeks behaviors
- Is a central nervous - People don't realise they - Behaviors such as sleep
system depressant, have a problem until walking, sleep eating,
soothes the brain they cannot sleep driving etc, all without
without the drug knowing
activity to relieve Lunesta
stress.
- Can easily be overdosed - People who stop taking
since its potent Lunesta after long term
- May depress brain usually suffer with
function until the user withdrawal symptoms
“forgets” to breathe, such as anxiety and
triggering coma or even insomnia
death.
Slang Terms
Amytal Ambien Lunesta Sonata

- Amytal is a - Also known as - Also known as - Also known as

popular brand no-gos, zombie forget me pill, z-drug
name for pills, sleepeasy, R2, Mexican
Barbiturate tic tacs and Valium, roofies
Derivative A-minus (when used as a
Amobarbital drug rape drug)
What are the physical and psychological effects?
AMYTAL
physical : nausea, vomiting, dizziness,
hallucinations, nightmares, constipation, headaches,
rash
psychological : anxiety, depression, confusion,
insomnia, nervousness
AMBIEN
physical : Rapid or irregular heartbeat, Nausea,
vomiting, Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, appetite loss,
double vision, pinpoint pupils, muscle cramps, skin
rashes,
phycological : memory loss, depression, suicidal
thoughts, aggression
What are the physical and psychological effects
LUNESTA SONATA
physical : nausea, vomiting, heartburn, decreased physical : loss of appetite, constipation, vision
sexual desire, headache, lightheadedness, swelling, issues, nausea, stomach pain, numbness

psychological : hallucinations, confusion, new or psychological : depression, anxiety, drowsiness,

worsening depression, memory problems, suicidal dizziness, trouble concentrating
thoughts, feeling as if you are outside of your body
Legal Consequences
Prescription fraud

❏ Considered a 3rd or 4th degree felony

❏ 3rd degree felony : 3-5 years in prison
❏ 4th degree felony : up to 18 months in prison
❏ Fines up to $30,000
What are the short and long term effects?
Short term:
❏ Relief from sleeping problems
such as insomnia
❏ Increases drowsiness (to make
you go to sleep faster)
❏ Good for short term insomnia
from temporary stress
If used for more than 2 weeks:
❏ Built up tolerance to drug
(resulting in taking higher doses which
can lead to death)
❏ Problems with memory and
attention
❏ Sleepwalking and sleep-eating
❏ Built up dependency (feeling like
you absolutely have to take it to fall
asleep)
How much does it cost?
About $17 to $60 a week but newer medications may cost more. Doctor visits will
also add to the cost. Most insurance plans will cover the cost of sleeping medications.
Works Cited
● “Sleeping Pill Addiction and Abuse - Understanding Sedative-Hypnotics.” AddictionCenter,
www.addictioncenter.com/sleeping-pills/.
● “Amytal Addiction, Abuse and Treatment - Amobarbital Drug Recovery.” AddictionCenter,
www.addictioncenter.com/sleeping-pills/amytal/.
● “Ambien Addiction and Abuse - Zolpidem Dependence.” AddictionCenter,
www.addictioncenter.com/sleeping-pills/ambien/.
● Sleeping Pills for Insomnia. aasm.org/resources/pdf/choosingwisely-sleepingpills-adults-insomnia.pdf.
● “History of Sleep Medication.” Tuck Sleep, www.tuck.com/history-sleep-medication/.
● “When to Take a Sleeping Pill for Insomnia.” Sleep Education,
sleepeducation.org/news/2013/08/07/when-to-take-a-sleeping-pill-for-insomnia.
● “Side Effects of Sleeping Pills: Common and Potentially Harmful Side Effects.” WebMD, WebMD,
www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/understanding-the-side-effects-of-sleeping-pills#1.
● “Lunesta Addiction and Abuse - Dangers of Lunesta.” AddictionCenter,
www.addictioncenter.com/sleeping-pills/lunesta/.