Results from a study published in the British Medical Journal show that people who take prescription sleeping pills, even occasionally, may be four times more likely to die earlier than those who do not take them. The study also suggests people who take prescription sleeping pills might also be at a greater risk for cancer.
Study authors said they evaluated medical records of about 35,000 patients. The results showed that even those who took less than 18 sleeping pills per year had a higher risk for early death.
It has been estimated that 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia. Lack of sleep can lead to serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Because of this, millions of prescriptions for sleeping pills are written each year.
But, now that evidence suggests that sleeping pills can result in early death, researchers are becoming more skeptical of these drugs.
Popular prescription sleeping pills include Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata.
(Source: ABC News) link to:
For more information, or to speak with an attorney about a prescription sleeping pill-related death, contact Flood Law Group today.
