Rozerum Comments Requested Please & Thanks

[Brenndy]

Does anyone have firsthand experience/knowledge/comments/recommendations regarding Rozerum?  I'd greatly appreciate any and all input and/or insight, where it be good, bad, or indifferent, or information from anyone who has done research regarding its use (if the latter is the case, please send me the URL to bookmarked articles or other medical literature, especially regarding its efficacy.)

If this is just another of the same in the meek and mild category for insomniacs as Ambien and Lunesta are, it will act like a placebo for me, and therefore please do not recommend it.  Thus, the more I hear, the more I know, and the more I know, the less money I will be throwing away regarding having Rozerum filled for naught, in addition to anteing up big bucks to pay for it.  Self-pay patients, a monthly (#30) day supply costs $135.00. Three years ago, Ambien cost $3.00 per pill.  A very well know insurance company would cover Ambien, but only for a 15-day supply.  When I called the insurance company to inquire why they did not pay for a 1-month supple (#30 tablets) which my physician had written for, they told me that there's was a new trend regarding peoples' sleep patterns; in that, people are only going to sleep every other day.  Real comical....NOT!  BTW:  True story.

Any and all comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated, as well as welcome.  Thanks very much in advance to those that reply to this post.

[Brenndy]

Please re-save your preferences so I can send you a note or email please.

[Brenndy]

Update>  Rozerum was NOT beneficial, but thanks for everyone'e help.
FYI:  They run about 5.50+ per pill. out of pocket expenses.  more of em.

[Brenndy]

Thanks everyone for providing me with information regarding Rozerum.  I greatly appreciate you taking the time to post.

Have a great evening.

[Dr_Smita_S]

Hi
Thanks for writing in.
Zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta) are believed to have a similar mechanism of action to treat insomnia. These drugs are believed to possess similar abuse potentials. Ramelteon (Rozerem), works differently in the body to treat insomnia. It is not considered to be a controlled substance.
Zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta) have been shown to reduce the time until sleep occurs and increase total sleep time. The sleep induced by them resembles natural sleep. Ramelteon (Rozerem) has shown to reduce the time until sleep occurs. It may be more useful for people who mainly have trouble falling to sleep and less effective for patients who routinely stay awake during the night. It is also believed to be non addicting and may not impair motor functions.
The data comparing their efficacy is limited and few head to head trials have taken place. More comparative data is needed for complete analysis.
An article published in 2006 stated that “The two newest sedative hypnotic medications, eszopiclone and ramelteon do not appear to offer additional benefit and are high cost alternatives to the older agents. Further studies with active comparators are necessary prior to identifying their ideal place in therapy”. (http://pharmacy.oregonstate.edu/drug_policy/pages/dur_board/newsletter/articles/volume8/DURV8I1.html). You might want to refer to an article on ramelteon in chronic insomnia. (J Clin Sleep Med. 2007 August 15; 3(5): 495–504)

All these medications need to be used cautiously with the benefit of treatment outweighing the known risk associated with these drugs.

Do let me know if you decide to go with a particular medication!
Regards.