Posted by Ted R on November 19, 2000, at 17:01:24
In reply to Re: Will ambien cause depression, posted by coral on November 13, 2000, at 13:52:53
> Ted,
>
> It was my understanding that Ambien was very addictive. I've been most cautious in using it for this reason. You seem very knowledgeable and perhaps you could help me understand.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Coral>Ambien is much less addictive and tolerance is much less likely to develop, because it selectively stimulates the GABA receptor sight involved only with sedation and sleep. It does not impact the anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and musculoskeletal receptor sights that would be impacted or acted on, by say Xanax or valium, at its therapeutic doses. Thus it is unlikely for patients to abuse it, because it is absent the "buzz." A person theoretically, would already reach a sleep stage, before they would experience euphoria. There are a couple of European studies that involved long term use of Ambien of a year to two, where tolerance, abuse and escalation of dosage did not occur with any significance. Let's face it, there are very few studies, that have been designed to look at good long term treatments for chronic insomnia. Just because of a lack of good empiric data on chronic sleep problems in general, why should a person be denied treatment with Ambien, if inability to get a good night's sleep, is a chief part of his symptomology? Also Ambien can help improve a major symptom of depression, insomnia,with its selectivity and a lack of negative effect on a person's mood while awake. thus it can be a great adjunct in a person's treatment of depression.
poster:Ted R
thread:48678
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001115/msgs/49083.html