"i have sleep apnoea and was on rotating shift for 17 years. my doctor prescribed ambien, which worked well, if i had 7-8 hours to devote to sleep. i do not take it every night. i do wakeup midway most nights. i was having a difficulty getting back to sleep. my doctor then prescribed sonata for the times when i have less than 7 hours to sleep. i found it was effective and very mild. i can take with as little as an hour of sleep time available, with minimal side effects."