Suggest Alternative Medication To Ambien For Chronic Insomnia

Posted on Mon, 29 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 Answered on

Thu, 12 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,
I'm a 40 year old female that suffers from chronic insomnia. I am on my 8th night of no sleep. I am a nurse and I need to get this under control. I've been closely monitored by my neurologist for the past 5years and he has retired. This has caused a great problem. Every neurologist I try to get an appointment with to order my ambien the appointments with is at least a month out. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can take promethazine for time being

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.

As we know ambien is good sleep medication and that too without potential addictive properties. This makes the ambien a potential candidate for primary drug for insomnia. I do not think after seeing your papers any doctor will refuse you for ambien considering its safety and usefulness.

Meanwhile I feel you can have a try with either promethazine 25 mg or melatonin which are available over the counter. Although there is chance of failure but in significant number of patients they help to a great extent and that can be explored.

I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar