New Drug May Help Insomniacs Sleep

DURHAM, N.C. -- Everyone has difficulty sleeping from time to time, but chronic insomnia can cause serious problems. Now a new therapy may help insomniacs fall asleep and stay asleep, without the side effects of standard sleeping pills.

About 40 million Americans suffer from insomnia.

"To me, the most clear and direct effects are people not feeling as good and functioning as well," said Dr. Andrew Krystal, a psychiatrist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

Insomniacs are more prone to depression, health problems and accidents -- especially behind the wheel.

"That's probably the most dangerous part of being an insomniac is trying to drive long periods of time when you haven't slept in four or five days," said Terry Bagley, an insomniac.

Bagley has suffered from insomnia for more than 20 years. Over-the-counter sleep aids didn't help. In a study at Duke University's sleep lab, she took a new drug called eszopiclone.

Most patients taking the drug said it helped them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, "which is the most novel thing, along with all those things, there was a consistent improvement in their reports of daytime function," Krystal said.

Researchers say eszopiclone is less likely to be associated with dependence, compared to many of the older drugs used for insomnia.

"There is clearly a pressure on clinicians to treat the problem, and they're struggling to find an alternative," Krystal said.

Studies show eszopiclone is both safe and effective, and doctors say it may be the alternative they've been searching for. Also, eszopiclone was studied for months -- not weeks, like most insomnia drugs.

The company that makes eszopiclone has submitted the results of their studies to the Food and Drug Administration for approval.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Duke University Medical Center
Box 3309
Durham, NC 27710

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