Imovane for insomnia

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wallan
wallan Member Posts: 1,275
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Has anyone taken imovane for insomnia?

My gynecologist prescribed it for me for 6 months... it says on the warning paper that its addictive and is usually only be taken 6-10 days.

Wendy A

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  • Diana_B
    Diana_B Member Posts: 287
    edited September 2007

    Hi Wendy,



    I find that you have to experiment a bit with drugs that help you sleep to find one you like.



    I found imovane left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth the whole of the next day. It also depressed me. I much prefer Ativan.



    My boyfriend, however, loves imovane and it always seems to work like a charm for him.



    Darya

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    Wendy, I've used Imovane and I liked it.  Darya is right, it does leave a bit of a bitter taste but it wasn't too bad and didn't bother me much.  It may well be addictive but if I tell you I've had my bottle since August 2006 and I still have 15 of the 30 tablets.... Smile  I really didn't find it habit forming.  It was mild and it was just enough for me.  Felt good the next day.

    What I found was that I'd have a few good nights' sleep, then use nothing and be fine for quite a few days.  Then it was just once in awhile and suddenly my sleep pattern was fine.

    Having a 6 month prescription doesn't necessarily mean you'll use it for 6 months, or like me you might have some for a rainy day!

    Try it and see what you think.  Your body will tell you whether it likes it or not!

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  • 2up
    2up Member Posts: 1,358
    edited September 2007

    immovane is most liable to be 'addictive' in the elderly (as is any sedative) because they can't metabolize the "half life" or "leftovers" if you will, therefore the elderly patient becomes unwittingly addicted because their livers never fully excrete the drug, causing a build up that their body becomes accustomed to.

    subsequently, the withdrawal becomes an issue if the med is stopped abruptly and because of the acting out behaviours associated with abrupt cessation of the med ............... "addiction" is the common DX, hence the generic warning regarding addiction.

    i have witnessed relatively lucid, rational elderly patients become psychotic with abrupt cessation of sedation (usually ativan, zyprexa, xanax, rivotril) but with proper "weaning" off the drug, they do just fine.

    i've yet to witness addiction-like symptoms in a mid life stage adult who has not abused a sedative and whose liver and kidney functions are within normal range.

    that being said .............. my insomniac father hated the "hungover" feeling on imovane 7.5 mg .............. and much prefers the odd ativan to enhance sleep.

    please bare in mind that ativan is an anti-anxiolytic not a sleeping pill whereas imovane is truly ONLY a sleep sedative.

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