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Article: Use of prescribed sleeping pills is up; Concerns raised about whether the drugs are used appropriately
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- October 23, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2005 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Sleeping pills rechristened as sleep medications are becoming
increasingly accepted and a prescribed drug for young adults and even
children.
The use of prescription sleeping pills among people ages 20 to 44
doubled from 2000 to 2004, according to an analysis of insurance
claims by Medco Health Solutions, which administers prescription drug
plans.
Further, the number of children who were on sleep medication rose
85%. The use isn't widespread an estimated 181,050 children, or
0.22% of the population 19 and younger, take the drugs. Still, the
increase came even though none of the most popular drugs is approved
for use in children.
Nationally, 8.6 million people took prescription drugs to ...