US Insomnia on the Rise

Prescriptions for sleep drugs in the US have increased 60% in the last five years, leading to the suspicion that physicians over-prescribe the drugs.

The main reasons for the increase are insomnia and stress, caused by Americans’ hectic lifestyles and heavy work cycles, especially among professionals.

The new crop of insomnia drugs claim to have eliminated some side effects seen in previous sleep drugs, like lingering fatigue. However, short-term amnesia and sleepwalking are causing concerns. Drug makers claim the drugs are safe and effective when taken as prescribed. The pharma industry sleep drug ad budget tops $300 million