However, we recommend that both the older and newer sleeping pills be taken more judiciously and less often than appears to be the current pattern of use by millions of people in the U.S. There are two main reasons for that advice:

• People with only mild insomnia problems may be relying too heavily on pills and not trying to address their sleep problems with non–drug measures.
• All sleeping medicines have side effects, can cause dependency, and even worsen insomnia problems when abused, misused, or taken too often. The side effects include daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment, dizziness, unsteadiness, and rebound insomnia. Sleep–walking, sleep–driving, memory lapses, and hallucinations have also been reported.

People with persistent, chronic insomnia — three or more nights a week for months on end — do need treatment. We advise behavioral therapy that improves sleep habits, possibly combined with cautious use of sleeping pills.

If you and your doctor have decided that you need a sleeping pill, we recommend you use it for the shortest period possible. Based primarily on the fact that it will soon become a less expensive generic, we have chosen zolpidem (Ambien) as the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drug.

Fifteen doses of Ambien now costs around $58. When generic zolpidem becomes available that price should decline by 50% to 70%.