Miya Pearson
Doctors can prescribe sleeping pills, typically for short-term use in conjunction with good sleep practices and/or behavioural treatments. Sleeping pills are tranquilisers that can help with insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. They are stronger than over-the-counter sleep aids and supplements, which can interfere with other medications or health conditions. Prescription sleeping pills, however, come with a risk of dependence and addiction, along with other side effects, and should be used with caution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prescribed by | Doctors, healthcare providers |
| Dosage | 5-20 mg, 10-25 or 50 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 8 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg |
| Duration | Short-term, not to be used long-term |
| Types | Antinarcoleptics, Benzodiazepines, Antidepressants, Antihistamines, Hypnotics, Orexin receptor antagonists, Melatonin antagonists, Anti-Parkinsonian drugs |
| Side effects | Addiction, dependence, withdrawal symptoms, overdose, sleepwalking, sleep-driving, sleep-eating, sleep-talking, sleep apnea, constipation, difficulty urinating, dry mouth or throat, decreased sexual drive, weight gain, confusion, memory issues, balance problems, risk of falls and hip fractures |
| Availability | Over-the-counter, prescription |
| Risk factors | Age (children, older adults), mixing with other sedatives or alcohol, other medications, supplements, birth control pills, heartburn medication, treatments for fungal infections |
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What You'll Learn
- Prescription sleeping pills are stronger than over-the-counter ones
- Sleeping pills are typically prescribed for short-term use
- Side effects of sleeping pills include drowsiness, constipation, and decreased sexual drive
- Sleeping pills can be addictive and lead to substance use disorder
- Doctors may prescribe antidepressants or antianxiety medications to help with sleep
Prescription sleeping pills are stronger than over-the-counter ones
Doctors can prescribe sleeping pills to patients experiencing sleep problems. However, prescription sleeping pills are generally stronger than over-the-counter (OTC) ones and are associated with a higher risk of dependence and addiction. They are typically only recommended for short-term relief.
Prescription sleep medications work in different ways. For example, benzodiazepines stimulate a brain chemical called GABA, leading to sedation, muscle relaxation, and reduced anxiety. Z-drugs, such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), slow down brain activity. Antidepressants, barbiturates, and Z-drugs are other examples of prescription sleeping pills.
OTC sleep aids and supplements are easily accessible without a prescription. However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking them as they can interfere with other medications or aggravate existing health conditions. Most OTC sleeping pills contain antihistamines, which induce sleep by blocking histamines responsible for alertness. Common antihistamines found in OTC sleep aids include diphenhydramine and doxylamine.
Sleeping pills, whether prescription or OTC, can cause various side effects, including constipation, diarrhoea, and muscle weakness. Approximately 80% of people experience a hangover effect the day after taking sleep medicine, feeling drowsy and disoriented. These daytime effects can impair an individual's ability to perform daily tasks, drive, or operate heavy machinery. Therefore, caution is advised when taking any sleep medication.
Additionally, it is important to note that sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use due to their potential for dependence and addiction. They are also not a cure for insomnia. For older adults, there are special risks associated with sleeping pills, as the drugs can stay in their system longer, causing side effects such as confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, which can increase the risk of falls and hip fractures.
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Sleeping pills are typically prescribed for short-term use
Doctors may prescribe sleeping pills for insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. These pills are prescription medications containing tranquilizers. While they can help people fall asleep, they are not a cure for insomnia and can lead to dependence and addiction. Providers will usually prescribe them for short-term relief only. For example, doctors may suggest people with insomnia use Silenor for up to 3 months.
Sleeping pills can have adverse effects on the body, especially with long-term use. These effects include changes in brain function, the structure of sleep, and drug tolerance. Additionally, the discontinuation of sleeping pills can result in withdrawal symptoms and worsen insomnia. The risk of side effects is especially prominent in older adults, who may experience confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, increasing the risk of falls and hip fractures.
To avoid the adverse effects of sleeping pills, healthcare providers recommend non-drug treatments, especially for children and older adults. For children, changing sleep behaviours is often the best way to improve sleep. Older adults may benefit from melatonin, a synthetic drug that mimics the natural hormone in the brain that stimulates sleep onset. As melatonin secretion decreases with age, doctors may prescribe this medication to seniors struggling with insomnia.
In summary, sleeping pills are typically prescribed for short-term use due to the potential risks and side effects associated with their use. Healthcare providers emphasize the importance of combining medication with behavioural treatments and good sleep practices to effectively manage sleep disorders.
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Side effects of sleeping pills include drowsiness, constipation, and decreased sexual drive
Doctors can prescribe sleeping pills to treat sleep problems, insomnia, and other sleep disorders. Sleeping pills are typically prescribed for short-term use, as they are not a cure for insomnia and can lead to dependence and addiction.
- Confusion
- Sleepwalking
- Digestive problems (e.g., gas, heartburn, nausea)
- Muscle weakness
- Impaired focus and memory
- Balance problems
- Allergic reactions
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth or throat
It is important to consult a doctor if you experience any severe or concerning side effects. Additionally, it is recommended to explore non-drug treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and lifestyle modifications, before resorting to sleeping pills.
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Sleeping pills can be addictive and lead to substance use disorder
Doctors can prescribe sleeping pills to patients experiencing sleep disorders such as insomnia. While these medications can be effective in aiding sleep, they are typically only recommended for short-term use due to the risk of dependence and addiction. Sleeping pills can be addictive, and long-term use is not advised.
Benzodiazepines, a common type of sleeping pill, have been shown to be highly addictive. They are often prescribed for sleep disorders, but they can also be prescribed for anxiety disorders. Other types of sleeping pills, such as Z-drugs (including zolpidem and eszopiclone), may be less physically addictive but can still lead to psychological addiction.
The risk of addiction is why healthcare providers usually prescribe sleeping pills for short-term relief only. Additionally, sleeping pills can cause side effects such as drowsiness, memory and concentration problems, muscle weakness, abnormal behaviour, and impaired driving ability. Older adults are more susceptible to these side effects, which can increase the risk of falls and hip fractures.
If you feel you have lost control over your medication use, it is important to talk to a doctor or seek addiction counselling. Dependence can develop quickly, and withdrawal symptoms from stopping benzodiazepines or Z-drugs can be similar to alcohol withdrawal, including increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
To summarise, sleeping pills can be addictive and lead to substance use disorder. Therefore, they should be used with caution and only as directed by a healthcare provider. It is important to explore other treatments for sleep disorders, such as behavioural therapies, before relying on sleeping pills.
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Doctors may prescribe antidepressants or antianxiety medications to help with sleep
Doctors may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to help with sleep. While these medications are not specifically designed to aid sleep, drowsiness is one of their main side effects. Antidepressants commonly prescribed for insomnia include Trazodone, Doxepin, Mirtazepine, and Elavil. These medications are typically prescribed at lower doses than those used for treating depression, and they do not lead to tolerance or drug dependence.
It is important to note that prescription sleeping pills are generally not recommended for long-term use. They are often prescribed for short-term relief and can have side effects, including the risk of dependence and addiction. Older adults, in particular, are advised to explore non-drug treatments first, as sleeping pills can cause confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, increasing the risk of falls and hip fractures.
Additionally, certain sleep medications, such as Z-drugs like Zolpidem (Ambien) and Eszopiclone (Lunesta), may cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals may sleepwalk, eat, or even drive without being fully awake. People may not remember these actions after they wake up, and this can be dangerous. Sedatives can also worsen snoring and sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Healthcare providers carefully consider the benefits and risks of prescribing sleeping pills and usually recommend them only for a short duration. It is crucial to consult a doctor before taking any sleep medication to ensure safe and effective use, especially when discontinuing their use after long-term consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, doctors can prescribe sleeping pills. However, they are typically only recommended for short-term use.
Doctors can prescribe various types of sleeping pills, including:
- Benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Prosom, Ativan, Restoril)
- Z-drugs (e.g. Ambien, Lunesta)
- Doxepin (Silenor)
- Triazolam (Halcion)
- Ramelteon (Rozerem)
- Suvorexant (Belsomra)
- Trazodone (Desyrel)
- Estazolam (Prosom)
- Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
- Antinarcoleptics (e.g. Ritalin, Provigil)
- Antidepressants (e.g. Mirtazepine, Seroquel)
- Orexin receptor antagonists
Sleeping pills can have various side effects, including:
- Constipation
- Difficulty urinating
- Dry mouth or throat
- Decreased sexual drive
- Weight gain
- Memory issues
- Confusion
- Balance problems
- Dependence and addiction
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Parasomnia (disruptive sleep disorder)
- Increased risk of falls and hip fractures
Sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use and should especially be avoided by certain groups, including:
- Children and adolescents due to the risk of severe side effects
- Older adults, as there may be safer ways to improve sleep, and they can cause side effects such as confusion, memory issues, and balance problems
- Those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, a type of antidepressant, or people with glaucoma or urinary retention
Yes, there are several alternatives to sleeping pills, including:
- Non-drug treatments, such as improving sleep hygiene and behavioural treatments
- Melatonin supplements, which can be helpful for those who work late or in shifts, and seniors struggling with insomnia
- Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, which can be used at lower doses to aid sleep due to their drowsiness side effect
