Zolpidem or Doxepin for Insomnia?

Posted by dsheahan1951 @dsheahan1951, Apr 26, 2022

I am 70 yrs old and have been taking zolpidem since 2011. Started with 5mg, only needing it when on vacation sleeping in a strange place, so not very often. I have multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. I now take 2.5mg every night (5mg tablet broken in half). I don't know if I'm considered to be "addicted" or not but I don't think I'm having adverse effects. I hear about some side effects some people have, like sleepwalking or falling. I have not experienced any side effects that I'm aware of. I have tried melatonin in different strengths, even the 1mg makes me feel a hangover effect. Recently my drug insurance plan has rejected my refill request for zolpidem because there apparently is a cut-off age of 70 because of risk of falling. My doctor will have to put through an appeal if we want to continue the drug. Has anyone experienced any nasty side effects from zolpidem?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

dsheahan1951 | @dsheahan1951 | Apr 28, 2022

In reply to @cecp "Has anyone tried doxepin for insomnia. I think I want to try it, but not too..." + (show)

I will be trying it as soon as my pharmacy gets it in stock. I'll let you know.

dsheahan1951 | @dsheahan1951 | Apr 28, 2022

In reply to @wifemom3 "I recently started taking Ambien about a couple of months ago. Prescribed by my oncologist. It..." + (show)

Hope you are doing well. I take Paxil 30mg every day for generalized anxiety, works well. I've never been able to tolerate Lorazepam, messes up my head. Good luck to all of us!!

cecp | @cecp | Apr 28, 2022

In reply to @amandaa "Hi @cecp, I moved your post to another discussion from yesterday where @dsheahan1951 was asking about..." + (show)

Yes. Doctor suggested doxapin.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 28, 2022

In reply to @dsheahan1951 "I am a 70 yr old female with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. Doing pretty well. My..." + (show)

@dsheahan1951, I note that you also have multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. You may also be interested in taking part in these discussion groups:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - please introduce yourself https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/multiple-sclerosis-ms-please-introduce-yourself/
- Parkinson's and Sleep Problems https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/parkinsons-and-vivid-dreams/

martyk | @martyk | Apr 29, 2022

I am 74 years old. I have been taking zolpidem for about 13 years. I started out at 5mg. I had to increase the dosage over the years to be effective. I'm now at the maximum 12.5CR which is the time release version. I think after taking a drug for a long time we build up a tolerance. Over the years I've tried to get off of it, taking lunesta, amazon sleep aids, melatonin, etc. They didn't help. I don't have a problem with my insurance company getting refills at my age. I would like to get off of zolpidem, but when I stop taking it, it takes a lot longer to fall asleep. I think we can get addicted to these sleep aids. Since I have chronic pain from a couple of issues, I won't focus on trying something else until the chronic pain issue is resolved. My drug company is Optum.

martyk | @martyk | Apr 29, 2022

In reply to @martyk "I am 74 years old. I have been taking zolpidem for about 13 years. I started..." + (show)

For people who don't know, zolpidem is the generic form of Ambien.

patti1416 | @patti1416 | Aug 3 8:46pm

In reply to @tim1028 "I've taken zolpidem periodically for sleep over the years. I started with 10 mg, but found..." + (show)

@tim1028 My husband is having some issues with the 5mg interacting with another med.that can cause drowsiness, but it doesnt help him sleep through the night.
So I thought of asking our Dr to change his dose to 2.5 and found that's not an option.
And his pills are oval and coated,so they can't be cut in half.
I'm just curious where or how you are able to take 2.5,as you mentioned you take in the middle of the night.
Thank you for any help...