For Healthcare Professionals

Sleep Support Program

Sign In | About
Describing Your Sleep Sleep Discussion Guide

Describing Your Sleep

So you are in the healthcare provider's office, talking about your latest illness or going through your routine physical. Your healthcare provider turns to you and says, "So what else is new?" And you say ...

See? It isn't always easy to bring up your lack of sleep. What do you say? How do you say it so your healthcare provider will take it seriously? Below are a few suggestions for talking about your sleep with your healthcare provider.

  • Set aside a few minutes during your appointment to discuss your sleep.

  • Take out your Sleep Discussion Guide and refer to it when needed.

  • Start by telling the healthcare provider about your sleep habits and if they have changed.

  • Use numbers to paint the picture of your sleep for your healthcare provider. For example, if it now takes you more than an hour to get to sleep, tell them that but also tell them that it used to take just 15 minutes. Also quantify how often this happens and how long it has been going on, such as by saying, "This happens 4 or 5 times a week and has been going on for more than a month. In the past, this might happen once a week or less."

  • Describe the quality of sleep you are having. Sleep should be refreshing, meaning you feel better in the morning without any residual sleepiness. If it isn't, you should tell your healthcare provider.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if your daytime sleepiness is affecting your life. Tell your healthcare provider if you think the lack of sleep is causing excessive sleepiness during the day, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, depressed mood, or increased irritability.

  • Mention anything you have tried in the past or present to rectify the lack of sleep. If you have tried changing your sleep habits by keeping the room dark and cool or have taken over-the-counter sleep aids, outline what has worked and what has not.

  • Tell the healthcare provider what concerns you might have in using a sleep aid. For example, if you fear that a sleep aid will worsen your breathing, affect your balance or memory, or leave you sleepy the next day, talk to the doctor about that concern.


send to a friend
Find out how well you're sleeping. Get Your Sleep Quality Score
During your next appointment, talk to your healthcare provider about your sleep. Create Your Sleep Discussion Guide
Prescribing Information | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions of Use | Healthcare Professionals

What assures me about my sleep aid is that it is non–habit-forming, it won't leave me feeling groggy the next day,** it works with my body's internal clock, it is gentle, so I won't feel sedated, and it is not likely to affect middle-of-the-night balance.***

Indication

Rozerem is approved for adults having trouble falling asleep.

Important Safety Information

If you have an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, and nausea and vomiting, contact your doctor immediately, as an airway obstruction due to this reaction could be fatal.

Don't take Rozerem if you're taking LUVOX® (fluvoxamine) or have severe liver problems.

Talk with your healthcare provider if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts. Call your healthcare provider if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7-10 days.

Worsening of depression, including suicidal thoughts and completed suicides, hallucinations, and nightmares can occur with Rozerem.

If you experience sleepwalking, driving, eating, or other behaviors while not fully awake, without remembering the event, contact your doctor immediately. There is a higher chance of these behaviors if you drink alcohol with Rozerem.

Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how you'll react to Rozerem.

Take Rozerem right before bed.

Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that can make you sleepy when using Rozerem.

Rozerem may affect testosterone and prolactin. Consult your doctor if you experience changes in your period, libido, or problems with fertility.

Side effects may include somnolence, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and exacerbated insomnia.

For more information, please see the complete Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

LUVOX® is a registered trademark of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

*You must meet eligibility requirements.

**As with other sleep products, until you know how you'll react to Rozerem, you should avoid engaging in hazardous activities that require concentration, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.

***According to a recent study in older adults, Rozerem has not been shown to affect middle-of-the-night balance, mobility, or memory. However, the results of this study cannot be generalized across the entire older adult population.

Rozerem® is a registered trademark of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and used under license by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.

© 2009 Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
This site is intended for use by U.S. residents only.