Gina Johnson
Kaiser Permanente offers a variety of treatments and services to help with sleep problems, including insomnia. Sleeping pills are one option, but they are not suitable for everyone. Kaiser Permanente members are advised to refer to their Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description to determine if a treatment is covered. Sleeping pills are typically recommended for short-term use, alongside lifestyle and behavioural changes. Kaiser also provides health coaching sessions, online wellness programs, and mental health tools to help improve sleep. Additionally, they offer alternative treatments, such as melatonin and valerian supplements, which can be purchased over the counter.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Kaiser Permanente's sleeping pills policy
Kaiser Permanente offers sleeping pills as a treatment option for insomnia. Sleeping pills can be effective when used in conjunction with behavioural changes, but they are typically recommended for short-term use due to potential side effects and the risk of dependency.
Kaiser Permanente members experiencing insomnia are advised to consult their personal doctor to discuss treatment options, including sleeping pills. Doctors may prescribe sleeping pills to be taken every night for a few weeks or intermittently for a few nights each week. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions for dosage and administration.
Kaiser Permanente offers Sleep Aid (doxylamine) 25 mg tablets as a sleep medication. This medication should be taken about 30 minutes before bedtime and can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, decreased coordination, and dry mouth/nose/throat. It is important to carefully follow the dosage directions to reduce the risk of serious side effects.
Another sleep medication offered by Kaiser Permanente is Belsomra 20 mg tablets, which contain suvorexant, a sedative-hypnotic drug. This medication is also typically taken 30 minutes before bedtime and can be taken with or without food. However, it may take longer to work if taken with a meal. Belsomra may cause side effects such as daytime drowsiness, mental/mood changes, and sleep paralysis. It is important not to increase the dosage or take it more frequently or for longer than prescribed, as this can increase the risk of side effects.
In addition to prescription sleep medications, Kaiser Permanente also provides resources and recommendations for lifestyle and behavioural changes to improve sleep. They suggest making changes to sleep routines, such as maintaining regular bedtimes and wake times, avoiding naps during the day, and being careful about what and when you eat and drink. Kaiser Permanente also offers health coaching sessions, online wellness programs, and digital mental health and wellness tools to help members improve their sleep.
Kaiser Permanente also recognises the role of supplements like melatonin and valerian, which are sold over-the-counter as sleep aids. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the body's circadian rhythm and can help with jet lag and delayed sleep phase disorder. While melatonin supplements can signal to the body that it's time to sleep, they cannot force sleep. Valerian is another herbal supplement that may aid in sleep, but it is important to consult a doctor before taking any herbal medicines or supplements.
Sleep vs Hibernate: Which Drains Your Battery?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Maximum Strength Nighttime Sleep Aid Supplement for Adults Deep Sleep Pills with Diphenhydramine HCl 50mg to Fall Asleep Faster- Strong Non-Habit Forming PM Sleeping Relief [96 Softgels]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71WC6IGWvcL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Side effects of sleeping pills
Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects, from mild to severe. While melatonin supplements have fewer side effects than prescription sleep aids, they are still unregulated and can cause children to experience agitation and bedwetting. Prescription sleep medication, on the other hand, can cause constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, worsened snoring and sleep apnea, and even rebound insomnia when discontinued.
Sleeping pills can also cause daytime drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. They can be habit-forming and addictive, with a risk of overdose if combined with alcohol or other medications. In older adults, sleeping pills can cause confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, increasing the risk of falls and hip fractures.
Additionally, prescription sleeping pills may bring on parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals engage in dangerous behaviours while still mostly asleep. People taking Z-drugs, for example, may sleepwalk, eat, take medications, talk, or even drive without being fully awake.
It is important to note that drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase the risk of serious side effects. Always consult your doctor before taking any sleeping pills, especially if you have asthma or other health conditions, as they can interfere with normal breathing and be dangerous for those with chronic lung problems.
Mastering Sleep Cycles: A Guide to Better Rest
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Lifestyle changes as an alternative
Kaiser Permanente does offer sleeping pills, such as doxylamine and melatonin, to help treat insomnia. However, sleeping pills are recommended for short-term use, as they are most effective when paired with lifestyle and behavioural changes.
Making changes to your lifestyle and habits is the best long-term way to sleep well. Here are some suggestions:
- Changes in how you sleep: Make adjustments to when and where you sleep. For instance, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Avoid taking naps during the day.
- Diet and exercise: Be mindful of what and when you eat and drink. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol close to your bedtime. Also, try to be more physically active during the day.
- Bedroom environment: Make your bedroom sleep-friendly by keeping it cool, quiet, and dark. Avoid watching TV or looking at electronic devices before bed, as the light from these sources can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.
- Relaxing activities: Adopt a relaxing bedtime routine to help you wind down before sleep. For example, you could read a book, listen to soothing music, or take a hot bath. Your doctor may also recommend activities like massage therapy, meditation, or yoga to help you relax.
- Address underlying conditions: Insomnia can be caused by menopause or problems such as depression, anxiety, or sleep apnea. Treating these underlying conditions may help improve your sleep.
Herbal Sleep Solutions for Liver Disease
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Melatonin as a supplement
Kaiser Permanente does not specify whether or not sleeping pills are covered by their insurance plans. However, they do provide sleeping pills and melatonin supplements as treatment options for insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain that regulates the body's circadian rhythm or internal clock, telling the body when to sleep and wake. While melatonin is produced naturally by the body, it is also available as a supplement in synthetic form.
Melatonin supplements are popular and can be purchased without a prescription in various forms, including gummies, pills, liquids, and patches. They are not a sleep aid in the traditional sense, as they do not force you to sleep. Instead, they tell your body that it is time to sleep, and their effectiveness depends on when you take them. Melatonin supplements are most effective for treating jet lag and delayed sleep phase disorder, and they should be taken 1-2 hours before the desired bedtime to help adjust the sleep cycle.
Dosage
For adults, it is recommended to start with a low dose of 1 to 3 milligrams, while for children, it is recommended to start with 1 milligram and not exceed 3 milligrams. It is always best to consult a doctor to determine the appropriate dosage for your specific needs.
Side Effects and Precautions
Melatonin supplements have fewer side effects than prescription sleep aids, but they are not as strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is important to choose a reputable brand that carries the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) or Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) logos, or the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verified mark. Melatonin supplements may also raise blood sugar and blood pressure levels, especially in individuals taking hypertension medications. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking melatonin if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Additionally, melatonin supplements are not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or individuals with autoimmune disorders, seizure disorders, or depression.
Sleeping Pills: Early Risers or Risky Business?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia
While I cannot find specific information about whether Kaiser covers sleeping pills, I have found information about Kaiser's sleeping pills and Kaiser's advice on insomnia.
Kaiser Permanente offers sleeping pills to help with insomnia. Sleeping pills can help break the cycle of bad sleep in the short term. However, over time, lifestyle and behavior changes are more effective than medication. Some sleeping pills may also work due to the placebo effect. Doctors may prescribe sleeping pills for every night for a few weeks, or intermittently, for a few nights each week.
Kaiser Permanente recommends making changes to your lifestyle to improve sleep. This includes changing where or when you sleep, being careful about what and when you eat and drink, and being more active. It is also important to keep regular bedtimes and wake times and to avoid napping during the day.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a short, structured, evidence-based approach to treating insomnia. CBT-I is considered effective for both short-term and chronic insomnia. It focuses on restructuring the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to insomnia. Therapy techniques include stimulus control, sleep restriction, and relaxation training. CBT-I helps patients identify thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to insomnia. It also helps patients re-evaluate beliefs about sleep that might be causing unnecessary anxiety. CBT-I guides patients through changes in sleep-related behaviors, helping them overcome obstacles to making necessary changes.
Heating Pads: Safe Sleep Companion or Hazard?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Kaiser Permanente does offer sleeping pills, but it is not clear whether they are covered. You can refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description to find out.
Kaiser Permanente offers Sleep Aid (doxylamine) 25 mg tablets and Belsomra 20 mg tablets.
Take the medication by mouth with or without food around 30 minutes before bedtime. If you experience an upset stomach, take the medication with food or milk. If you are using the chewable form, chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Take the medication by mouth with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually 30 minutes before bedtime. If you take the medication with or right after a meal, it may take longer to work.
Sleep Aid (doxylamine) may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, decreased coordination, or dry mouth/nose/throat. Belsomra 20 mg tablets may cause daytime drowsiness, mental/mood changes, and sleep paralysis.
