Does long-term use of ambien cause cancer i have been told for the past 5 years that ambien is a safe medication to use for sleep (i even asked my dorctor if it caused any types of cancer). i have taken it regularly, with few negative effects - it has hel

The : The recent study you are most likely alluding to does not establish an actual cause and effect relationship. It is not known if the sleep medications cause increased risk or if people who are at increased risk are just the people who tend to use these medications. However, Ambien (zolpidem) increases interluken 8, which stimulates cancer growth. Regardless, congratulations for successfully coming off a sleep medication after being on it for so long. Take care.

No.: While Ambien (zolpidem) can lead to developing a tolerance and some form of dependence when used for long periods of time routinely, it does not have a causal affect towards the development if cancer. It is safe and often effective. Over time u may require higher doses to achieve the same effect. Concerns about long term cancer related side effects are not realistic.

Hard to believe: The british medical journal published in 2012 a study claiming that mortality is triple for people taking sleeping pills as opposed to those who don't. The principal investigator is already an anti-sleeping-pill activist and presently the discussion is how well he's controlled for the fact that sick people probably don't sleep as well as healthies & go to the doctor more.