Biotech Values

[biotech jim]

The active ingredient in Ambien has GABA-A receptor alpha 1 receptor complex activity and as such is addictive if drug levels are maintained. However, Ambien does have a short half life so that mitigates against the addictive potential. Other drugs in this class that have alpha 1 activity are highly addictive (valium, eg) and have withdrawal effects and tolerate over time. Lunesta as a sleep-inducing agent has both alpha 1 and alpha 3 activity (both are involved in the induction of sleep), and is less addictive I would submit. The 15 mg dose of Ambien was large, and nausea is a problem with this higher dose in some patients. Going lower on the dose, even down to 7.5 mg might be a good strategy if it has sleep-inducing activity for you. I would try altering your pre-sleep activities to try to get off of chronic Ambien use.

Jim