How safe are newer insomnia medications in the long term?
Evidence for the safety of the long term use of the newer sedative hypnotics is limited; most trials were 4 weeks or shorter. In the few available longer-term studies that have been conducted, side effects were mild. Cases of abuse and dependence have been associated with zolpidem and zopiclone. With the exception of ramelteon, all of the newer insomnia drugs are classified as controlled substances and, like benzodiazepines, act on the GABA receptor. Because ramelteon acts on the melatonin receptor, it is not considered to have the same potential for addiction.
