Researchers are warning that sleeping pills may increase the risk of early death more than five-fold, the Daily Mail reported.

A study, conducted by researchers at the Jackson Hole Center for Preventive Medicine in Wyoming and the Scripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Center in California, found the risk was greater at higher doses.

Those taking the lowest doses -- four to 18 pills a year -- had a 3.6 times higher risk of dying compared with non-users.

Those taking 18 to 132 pills a year had a 4.4 times higher risk of dying, while those on more than 132 pills a year were 5.3 times more likely to die.

This group was also 35 percent more likely to develop a cancer.

Experts say while the findings highlight a potential risk, proof of harm is still lacking.

They say patients should not be alarmed nor stop their medication, but if they are concerned they should discuss this with their doctor or pharmacist.

The drugs include benzodiazepines such as temazepam and diazepam, newer sedative hypnotics zolpidem, zopiclone and zaleplon, and barbiturates and sedative antihistamines.

(China.org.cn March 4, 2012)

据英国《每日邮报》报道，研究人员警告，服用安眠药可以使过早死亡的几率增加5倍。

美国怀俄明州杰克森霍尔预防医学中心和加州斯克里普斯诊所维特比家庭睡眠中心的这项研究表明，服用安眠药的剂量越大，越危险。

一年服用4-18片少剂量安眠药的人比不服用药物的人，其死亡几率增加了3.6倍。

一年服用18-132片安眠药的人比不服用的人，死亡几率增加了4.4倍；而一年服用超过132片安眠药的人，其死亡几率增加了5.3倍。

那些服用高剂量安眠药的人得癌症的几率也会增加35%。

专家表示，虽然该研究指出服用安眠药有潜在的风险，但仍缺乏对身体有害的证据。

专家称，病人不必慌张，也不用立刻停药，但是如果他们担心，可以咨询医生和药剂师。

这类具有安眠作用的药物包括苯二氮平类药物，比如羟基安定和安定，新一代催眠镇静药唑吡坦、佐匹克隆和扎来普隆、巴比妥类药物和镇静剂抗组胺。