Seeking Alpha examines the sleep drug market and reports that insomnia drug sales are expected to drop from 2013 to 2016.

Insomnia drug sales are expected to plummet from 2.1 billion in 2013 to 1.4 billion in 2016. This is largely due to competition to Ambien and Lunesta the two best selling drugs by the availability of their generic equivalents (Zolpidem and Eszopiclone). Another factor affecting sales of Ambien are the restrictions imposed upon by FDA reducing the recommended dose for women. Adding insult to injury is the American Geriatric Society 2015 update for potentially inappropriate medication for use in older adults. AGS recommends that nonbenzodiazepine and benzodiazepine receptor agonist hypnotics (eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem) are to be avoided without consideration of duration of use because of their association with harms balanced with their minimal efficacy in treating insomnia.

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