Insomniacs Get a New Sleep Aid
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iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Move over Ambien, Lunesta and other sleep aids. There’s a new kid in town. The FDA has given its approval to a drug called Belsomra, which helps insomniacs get to sleep and stay asleep.
Belsomra, which should hit the market later this year or in early 2015, will be available in dosages of five, 10, 15 and 20 milligrams with doctors expected to prescribed the lower strengths to help patients avoid drowsiness the next morning.
Those taking Belsomra should do so within 30 minutes of going to bed with the expectation of sleeping seven hours.
Although the drug proved far more effective than a placebo in clinical trials, it wasn’t tested against the sleep aids already on the market.
It’s estimated that at least 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia.
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