Herbie Murray
Sleeping pills are classified as sedative hypnotics, a specific class of drugs used to help people fall asleep or stay asleep. While they can be effective in the short term, they are associated with a higher risk of death. This risk is further elevated when sleeping pills are mixed with other substances, such as opioids or alcohol, or when taken in higher doses than prescribed. Additionally, sleeping pill users have been found to have a shorter life expectancy and an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and other ailments. As a result, doctors are rethinking the use of sleeping pills, especially given that cognitive behavioural therapy has been found to be a more effective treatment for insomnia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of death | A study found that those who took sleeping pills had a 3.5 times greater risk of death compared to those who did not. |
| Number of doses | The risk of death increases with the number of doses. |
| Cancer | Sleeping pill users were 35% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer. |
| Insomnia | Sleeping pills are prescribed for insomnia. |
| Types | Commonly used sleeping pills include temazepam and zolpidem. |
| Overdose | It is possible to overdose on sleeping pills, which can lead to death. |
| Mixing with other substances | Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or opioids can be fatal. |
| Life expectancy | Sleeping pill users had a shorter life expectancy than non-users. |
| Other causes of death | Causes of death linked to sleeping pill use include heart disease, suppressed respiration, and dementia. |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pills and overdose
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help people rest. An overdose occurs when a person takes a higher dose than prescribed or takes pills more often than prescribed. Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to death.
A study published in the BMJ Open journal found that commonly used sleeping pills, or "hypnotics", such as temazepam and zolpidem, which are prescribed for short-term insomnia, carry a more than fourfold risk of death. The study compared the death rates among more than 10,500 people who received sleeping pill prescriptions with those of more than 23,600 others who did not receive such medication. The results showed that those who were prescribed sleeping pills had a 3.5 to 5 times greater risk of death compared to those who were not.
The risk of overdose and subsequent death is even higher when sleeping pills are mixed with other substances such as opioids, alcohol, or other medications. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol can cause a person to stop breathing, leading to death. Additionally, an allergic reaction to prescribed hypnotics can also be life-threatening.
While it is rare, parasomnias can occur when taking sleeping pills, and the likelihood increases with higher doses. Parasomnias are disruptive sleep disorders that can cause dangerous behaviors while the person is still mostly asleep. People taking sleeping pills may sleepwalk, eat, take medications, talk, or even drive without being fully awake, and most people do not remember doing these things after they wake up.
It is important to note that newer sleep-inducing drugs on the market are generally milder and less potent, reducing the risk of fatal overdose. However, they are still not 100% safe, and high doses can be fatal.
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Mixing sleeping pills with other substances
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can range from mild to dangerous, with symptoms such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, seizures, and delirium tremens. Combining alcohol withdrawal with sleeping pill use can complicate recovery and lead to rebound insomnia. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol can cause over-sedation, confusion, dizziness, fainting, slowed heart rate, and breathing difficulties, which may result in death. Grapefruit also increases the absorption and prolongs the effects of sleep-inducing drugs, leading to unintentional overdose.
Additionally, taking sleeping pills during pregnancy, especially when combined with Restoril (a benzodiazepine), can cause stillbirth. Parasomnias, or disruptive sleep disorders, can occur with the use of sleep aids, leading to dangerous behaviors such as sleepwalking, eating, taking medications, talking, or even driving while mostly asleep. Benzodiazepines, a common type of sleeping pill, can be addictive and lead to substance use disorders. Therefore, they are typically prescribed for short-term use only.
The risk of death associated with sleeping pills has been observed in studies. One study compared death rates between individuals prescribed sleeping pills and a control group matched for age and health factors. It found that those prescribed sleeping pills had up to a five-times greater risk of death, with the risk increasing with higher pill doses. However, the study did not establish a causal link between sleeping pills and increased mortality.
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Sleeping pills and cancer risk
Several studies have found a link between sleeping pill usage and an increased risk of death. Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help people rest. While sleeping pills can be helpful for short-term insomnia, they can also be addictive and dangerous if misused or overdosed. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or other substances can cause breathing problems and even lead to death.
Now, regarding the link between sleeping pills and cancer risk, multiple studies have suggested that sleeping pill usage is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. One study found that patients prescribed sleeping pills were three to five times more likely to die during the study period, and they had a 35% greater risk of being diagnosed with cancer, specifically lymphoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. The risk of cancer was higher for sleeping pill users than for smokers, and the risk increased with the number of doses taken.
Another study by Scripps Clinic researchers found a 4.6 times higher risk of death and a significant increase in cancer cases among regular sleeping pill users. The authors suggested that sleeping pills might contribute to the occurrence of cancer and other ailments.
It is important to note that these studies do not establish causation, and there may be other factors influencing the results. However, they do suggest a potential link between sleeping pill usage and cancer risk that warrants further investigation.
While sleeping pills can be helpful for short-term insomnia, it is crucial to be aware of their potential risks and side effects. If you are experiencing insomnia due to emotional problems or depression, it is recommended to treat the underlying psychological disorder rather than relying on sleeping pills, which could have harmful side effects.
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Sleeping pills and life expectancy
Several studies have found a link between the use of sleeping pills and an increased risk of death. Sleeping pills are classified as "sedative hypnotics," a specific class of drugs used to help people fall asleep or stay asleep. They act on the central nervous system to slow down the body's functions.
One study, published in BMJ Open, found that commonly used sleeping pills, such as temazepam and zolpidem, are associated with a more than fourfold risk of death. The study compared death rates among over 10,500 people who received sleeping pill prescriptions with more than 23,600 people who did not, and found that those who took sleeping pills had a 3.5 times greater risk of death. The risk increased with the number of doses, with individuals on the highest number of pills having a more than five times greater risk of death.
Another study, conducted in Taiwan, found an association between sleeping pill use and an increased risk of mortality and shortened life expectancy, especially in individuals with extreme sleep durations (less than 4 hours or more than 8 hours of sleep per day). On average, sleeping pill users had 5.3 years and 5.7 years shorter life expectancy among men and women, respectively.
It is important to note that these studies show an association between sleeping pill use and increased mortality, but they do not prove causation. Additionally, the benefits of sleeping pills are considered meagre, and cognitive behaviour therapy is often thought to be a more effective treatment for insomnia.
Sleeping pills can also be dangerous when mixed with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, which can increase the risk of overdose and death. Older adults are at a greater risk of overdose from sleeping pills due to decreased drug metabolism rates. Furthermore, dependence and withdrawal can occur even when sleeping pills are taken as prescribed, and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening.
While sleeping pills can be helpful in the short term for individuals with severe insomnia, it is important for patients and prescribers to be aware of the potential risks associated with their use.
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Sleeping pills and addiction
Sleeping pills are highly addictive, and their misuse can lead to dependency and addiction. Mixing sleeping pills with other substances, such as opioids or alcohol, increases the risk of adverse interactions and enhances the chances of drug and alcohol addiction.
The risk of addiction is higher for individuals with a history of substance abuse or addiction. It is crucial to follow prescription instructions and not exceed the recommended dosage or frequency. Additionally, combining sleeping pills with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, can increase the risk of overdose and enhance the potential for addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms from sleeping pills can be challenging and are a significant indicator of addiction. These symptoms may include rebound insomnia, which can be worse than the initial insomnia, as well as disturbing dreams, panic attacks, and increased anxiety. It is important to seek professional help when dealing with sleeping pill addiction, as the side effects and consequences of dependency can lead to severe issues.
Treatment options for sleeping pill addiction include medical detox, residential treatment, and therapy. Medical detox can help minimise withdrawal symptoms, while residential treatment provides a supportive environment for recovery. Talking therapies, such as CBT, can also be beneficial in understanding how thoughts and feelings influence behaviour.
It is important to note that sleeping pills should only be used as a short-term solution for insomnia. If you or someone you know is struggling with sleeping pill addiction, seeking professional help is crucial. Support is available through rehab centres, drug treatment services, support groups, and healthcare providers.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping pills are associated with a higher risk of death. A study published in the BMJ Open journal found that commonly used sleeping pills, or "hypnotics", such as temazepam and zolpidem, are associated with more than a fourfold risk of death. Another study found that sleeping pill users had a 55% higher mortality risk than non-users.
The causes of death associated with sleeping pill use include cancer, heart disease, infection, depression, suicide, falling, fracture, automobile accidents, suppressed respiration, and dementia. Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, can increase the risk of overdose and death.
It is important to take sleeping pills only as prescribed and not to exceed the recommended dosage. If you are experiencing insomnia or sleeping difficulties, consider alternative treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy or learning about the body's natural circadian rhythm.
