10:55 AM CST on Monday, February 13, 2006

By ERIN OCHOA / KVUE News

A record number of Americans are turning to sleeping pills for a good night's sleep.

According to global research company, IMS Health, 42-million sleeping pill prescriptions were filled last year. That's up 60 percent from 2000.

In a fast-paced society, where rushing is the preferred way to travel, trying to unwind before a getting a good night's sleep can take time.

"...Probably about three hours to unwind. Just to get the part where you can say ahhhh," said Reginald Breaux.

Some experts are blaming a non-stop lifestyle for a recent surge in sleeping pills.

"I think our society is like lets take a pill, it's going to fix me," said David Morse.

Doctor David Duhon is a Sleep Specialist with the Sleep Disorders Center of Central Texas.

He told KVUE News, "I'm not a vending machine. I'm not here just to hand out sleeping pills."

He believes, while most Americans don't get enough sleep, sleeping pills such as Ambien or Lunesta aren't intended for everyone.

"As a general rule, I tell people I don't treat lifestyle. If you consult me and after I finish talking with you, my opinion is it's your lifestyle is doing this, I'm not going to treat your lifestyle. You change it or you live with it," he said.

He considers about one in four of his patients ideal candidates for sleeping pills. He says the pills are intended for occasional or short-term use.

"These are relatively safe medications. They're non-toxic."

But some experts believe doctors may be over-prescribing sleeping pills without regard to any potential side effects or the possibility of an underlying problem such as depression.

"They have few side effects - period. the only side effect is that they make people sleepy, which is not a side effect, it's what you want to be," said Dr. Duhon.

Some users report something called a 'next-day' effect or drowsiness after awaking from a drug-induced sleep. Dr. Duhon says it's not usually a problem for patients - if they get the required 8 hours of sleep.

A spokesperson for the makers of Ambien says the pills are safe and effective -- when taken as prescribed.