December 2009 Archives

Leader in Opiate and Ambien Detoxification Shares Insight into the Effects of Ambien Misuse and Withdrawal

The Waismann Method, a pioneering medical opiate detoxification procedure, offers one of the most advanced medical procedures worldwide with the medical expertise and advanced technology to treat dependencies to Zolpidem, a prescription medication widely used for the short-term treatment of insomnia and prescribed under trade names including Ambien and Edluar. The Waismann Method of Rapid Ambien Detox involves a safe, medically-assisted treatment to Ambien addiction in a hospital setting. This approach offers patients an alternative to traditional Ambien detoxification, which even when done gradually, can be extremely dangerous and even life threatening.

"Sleep problems are common in today's society. Ambien and other prescription sleep aids can help insomnia, but should only be taken as an interim resolution," said Dr. Michael Lowenstein, co-director for the Waismann Method. "When Ambien is taken for an extended period of time or in high doses, users can develop a tolerance to the drug, making it habit forming. Misuse of Ambien can potentially lead to short-term memory loss as well as bizarre side effects such as binge eating or sleepwalking."

Ambien, the brand name of Zolpidem, is a non-narcotic sleep aid meant for short-term treatment. It is considered a Schedule IV Controlled Substance in the U.S. and is a central nervous system depressant which slows normal brain activity. The sedative is also considered a hypnotic with effects similar to drugs in the benzodiazepine family such as Xanax, though they are molecularly different. Ambien can impair thinking and reaction time so users should avoid tasks that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.

According to Lowenstein, if a user develops a tolerance to Ambien and attempts to abruptly discontinue use, serious withdrawal symptoms can arise including insomnia, fatigue, panic attacks, stomach cramps, muscle cramps, sweating, shaking and seizures. Gradually decreasing daily intake is the best way to wean from Ambien, but many people need medically-supervised treatment. "Trying to detox on your own can be dangerous and should be supervised in a medical setting where withdrawal can be managed," Lowenstein adds.

Medically assisted withdrawal using Rapid Ambien Detox enables individuals to safely and comfortably reverse their dependence without difficult and prolonged withdrawal. The Waismann Method of Rapid Ambien Detox takes approximately seven to ten days, as opposed to traditional detoxification methods that require 30 to 90 days or more, and can be administered alone or concurrently with deep sedation detoxification from opiates.

Patients in the Waismann program are supervised closely in a hospital setting to maximize success and safety. All Waismann Method physicians are Board Certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Management, and Addiction Medicine. Treatment is tailored to the unique medical needs of each individual patient.

To learn more about Rapid Ambien Detox or the Waismann Method call 1-800-423-2482 or visit www.opiates.com.

About The Waismann Method:  Performed in a hospital, the Waismann Method involves the administration of medications to reverse the physiological dependence on opiates or Zolpidem while the symptoms of withdrawal are addressed. During the procedure, the patient experiences minimal withdrawal, and will be able to return home within days. Seventy-five percent of the prescription drug dependent patients who are treated with the Waismann Method remain drug free after one year.

SOURCE Waismann Method

Apnex Medical, Inc., a private medical device company, announced that it has completed a second round of private equity financing totaling $14 million. The funds will be used to complete a clinical study and develop a second generation of its proprietary implantable technology designed to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Participants in the financing include Domain Associates, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Polaris Venture Partners and Michael Berman. The current board includes Robert Atkinson, CEO, and Michael Berman, Chairman, together with Brian Chee, John Nehra and Nimesh Shah representing Polaris, NEA and Domain, respectively. This financing brings the total investment in Apnex Medical to $30 million.

"We are very excited about the early results with the Apnex Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HGNS(TM)) System in our clinical study. Our technology really has the potential to change the lives of people suffering from OSA. This round of financing will allow us to finish our initial clinical study and get us that much closer to market," said Robert Atkinson, CEO.

"From prior research published by Drs. Alan Schwartz and Philip Smith, we know that hypoglossal nerve stimulation has the potential to reduce OSA severity. The clinical study of the Apnex HGNS System should provide evidence of its safety and effectiveness over time," said Mr. Atkinson. Drs. Schwartz and Smith, both Professors of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, are among the early pioneers in this field and serve as consultants to Apnex Medical.

About Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):

"OSA is a very serious health condition, and if left untreated, it can lead to major health problems. Currently the majority of sleep apnea remains undiagnosed and among those who are diagnosed, many are either untreated or only partially treated. Thus, many of us are supportive of research into new forms of therapy," said Atul Malhotra, Medical Director of the Brigham and Women's Sleep Disorders Research Program and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Dr. Malhotra performs research into the mechanisms underlying sleep apnea and serves as a consultant to Apnex Medical. Malhotra further stated, "If you think you have a sleep problem, you should talk to your doctor or consider seeing a specialist."

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 100 million people worldwide are suspected to have OSA. In the United States, symptomatic OSA affects 1 in 4 men and 1 in 9 women. OSA causes fragmented sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness, resulting in an increased risk in accidents and lost productivity. Untreated OSA is also associated with an increased risk in stroke, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have also confirmed that untreated OSA is associated with an increased risk of death. Current OSA treatments are not always successful or well tolerated. The Apnex HGNS System is designed to provide an alternative treatment for OSA that addresses these problems.

SOURCE Apnex Medical, Inc.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) will co-sponsor the first-ever national conference on sleep apnea and commercial motor vehicle drivers on May 12, 2010.

Obstructed sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which an individual's airway is blocked while sleeping, typically resulting in frequent breathing interruptions lasting from 10 seconds to more than a minute at a time, loud snoring and non-restorative sleep. The illness afflicts at least 20 million Americans -- equal to or more than asthma or diabetes -- yet more than 85 percent remain undiagnosed. Individuals with OSA are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke and depression, contributing to annual health care costs that are twice that of people without sleep apnea.

"It is important that the trucking industry actively engages in improving the quality of life and the performance of our drivers," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Professional truck drivers play a vital role in delivering our nation's freight."

The conference, hosted by the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), will feature presentations and panel discussions that focus on providing a common understanding of OSA diagnosis and treatment, clarifying current and proposed regulations, establishing an ongoing forum of experts to generate guidance for improvements, and providing trucking management with the resources to improve employee health and safety.

"The trucking industry continues to grapple with the tough questions and issues surrounding screening and treatment for sleep apnea," said Dave Osiecki, ATA Vice President of Safety, Security and Operations. "This event is a significant step forward and we encourage industry stakeholders to participate."

The one-day conference will be held at the Westin Baltimore Washington - BWI in Baltimore, Md. and is preceded by a reception and keynote address from National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman on May 11, 2010.

For more information, visit the ASAA conference Web site at www.satc2010.org.

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.

SOURCE American Trucking Associations