Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping pills are often prescribed to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. They are designed to make users feel drowsy and relaxed. While they can be effective in aiding sleep, sleeping pills can also have side effects and safety concerns. For example, common side effects include constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, and digestive problems. Additionally, there is a risk of developing a dependence on sleeping pills, and they should not be used continuously over an extended period to avoid adverse long-term effects. Overdosing on sleeping pills is also a significant hazard, especially when mixed with other substances. Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor before taking any sleep medication and to understand the potential risks and side effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Sleeping pills can have side effects and should not be used long-term. |
| Dosage | Dosage typically ranges from 10 to 25 or 50 milligrams. |
| Side Effects | Common side effects include constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, drowsiness, dizziness, and stomach upset. |
| Dependence | Sleeping pills can be addictive, and users may become dependent on them, experiencing rebound insomnia when trying to quit. |
| Overdose | Overdose is possible, especially when mixed with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines. |
| Precautions | Consult a doctor before taking sleeping pills, especially when pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving to children. |
| Alternatives | Non-drug therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be better for improving sleep. |
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What You'll Learn
Side effects of 25 mg sleeping pills
Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects, and it is advised that they are not used long-term. Over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills can cause constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and can worsen snoring and sleep apnea. Sleeping pills can also cause a hangover effect, with around 8 out of 10 people feeling drowsy, experiencing muddled thinking and dizziness the next day. This can negatively impact your ability to drive, work, or go to school.
Sleeping pills can also cause a person to walk or eat in their sleep (parasomnia), and can lead to sleep-induced injuries, crimes, and self-harm due to unawareness of one's actions. They can also cause excitability in children and should not be given to children to make them sleepy.
Physicians do not prescribe sleeping pills to children or adolescents due to the risk of severe side effects. The adverse effects of sleeping pills start becoming apparent when users develop a dependency and cannot fall asleep without them. Abrupt discontinuation may cause withdrawal symptoms and worsen insomnia (rebound insomnia).
Benzodiazepines are a powerful class of sleeping pills that can lead to long-term side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, irritability, and depression, particularly in patients with liver and kidney disease. Sleeping pills can also cause respiratory depression during sleep, which may lead to death.
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Safety concerns and alternatives
Sleeping pills can cause several side effects and safety concerns. Firstly, sleeping pills can cause dependency and addiction. This means that users may not realise they are dependent on the pills until they abruptly stop taking them, causing withdrawal symptoms and worsened insomnia, known as rebound insomnia. This can impact their daily lives and make it difficult to fall asleep naturally without the pills. It is recommended to gradually taper off sleeping pills with the guidance of a specialist. Additionally, the frequency of use can lead to unintended consequences, as individuals may assume it is safe to use these pills nightly, leading to the development of tolerance and dependence.
Secondly, sleeping pills can cause various side effects, including constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, increased snoring and sleep apnea, daytime drowsiness and confusion, and parasomnia, which involves walking or eating in one's sleep. In the case of antidepressants, side effects may include constipation, difficulty urinating, dry mouth or throat, decreased sexual drive, and weight gain. Benzodiazepines, a powerful class of sleeping pills, can cause dizziness, fatigue, irritability, and long-term side effects such as depression, especially in patients with liver or kidney issues. Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Sleep-Tabs 25 mg tablets, can cause drowsiness, dizziness, stomach upset, blurry vision, and increased sensitivity to sunlight, which can lead to severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. It may also cause excitability in children.
Thirdly, there is a risk of overdose with sleeping pills, especially if mixed with other sedatives, alcohol, or depressants. While modern sleeping pills are safer than their predecessors, fatal overdoses can still occur, particularly with high doses or when mixed with other substances. Additionally, individuals may misuse sleeping pills intentionally to attempt suicide.
Before taking sleeping pills, it is essential to consult a doctor and explore alternative treatments. Lifestyle modifications, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and improving sleep hygiene habits are recommended as first-line treatments for insomnia. For those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider, as the medication can pass to the fetus or baby. Older adults are also advised to try non-drug treatments first, as there may be safer ways to improve sleep without the risks associated with sleeping pills.
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Risk of overdose
It is possible to overdose on sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help you rest. Taking a higher dose than prescribed or taking pills more often than prescribed can increase the risk of an overdose. This is especially true if you take other substances like opioids or alcohol with your sleeping pills. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol can cause a person to stop breathing, which may result in death.
Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to various outcomes, depending on the medication and dosage. For example, while a benzodiazepine overdose is rarely fatal on its own, it can be deadly when mixed with other substances like opioids. Similarly, while a melatonin overdose is highly unlikely, taking too much melatonin may cause side effects.
The frequency of use also plays a significant role in the risk of overdose. The development of tolerance and dependence can lead to unintended results. Sleeping pills are only meant for short-term or occasional use. Taking prescription sleep aids daily or almost daily for more than a few weeks can build up a tolerance to the medication.
Additionally, certain groups of people are more vulnerable to the risks of sleeping pills. For instance, parents sometimes give over-the-counter antihistamine medications to children to help them sleep. However, there is a risk of overdosing your child, and these medicines are not approved for sleep purposes. Older adults are also more susceptible to the risks of sleeping pills, and they should explore non-drug treatments first.
It's important to note that any sleep medication, including over-the-counter drugs, can be dangerous in large amounts. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the dosage instructions carefully and only take sleeping pills as prescribed.
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Dependency and withdrawal
Sleeping pills can be habit-forming and are meant for short-term use only. They can cause dependence and addiction, with withdrawal symptoms that can be intense and even life-threatening. The risk of dependence and addiction is higher in older adults, and women, especially older women, are more likely to use these medications.
Dependence on sleeping pills can develop quickly, sometimes within a few weeks, and people can become dependent after using them for several months or even years. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when someone suddenly stops using sleeping pills, and these symptoms can be similar to those that the medication was originally intended to treat. This may create a vicious cycle, as people may start using sleeping pills again to relieve these symptoms. To avoid this, it is recommended to gradually reduce the dosage over several weeks or months, with the guidance of a doctor. Psychological or therapeutic support can also help during this process.
Withdrawal symptoms can include rebound insomnia, which can be worse than the original insomnia and can last from a few days to a few weeks. Other symptoms include anxiety, shivering, dizziness, hallucinations, and seizures. In some cases, withdrawal can lead to functional issues and interpersonal relationship problems, as individuals may start to ignore social and professional obligations in favour of using the drugs.
To minimise withdrawal symptoms, it is important to keep the dosage as low as possible and to only take the medication for as short a time as possible. It is also recommended to try non-drug treatments first, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), keeping a regular sleep schedule, exercising, limiting screen time, and avoiding caffeine.
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Safety for pregnant and breastfeeding people
Sleep disturbances and insomnia are common during pregnancy, with one in four women experiencing insomnia in the first trimester, increasing to over two-thirds by the end of the third trimester. While sleep is important, it is difficult to determine the safety profile of taking sleep medications during pregnancy since studies often exclude pregnant people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 1% of medicines approved since 1980 have enough information to determine their safety during pregnancy. Benzodiazepines, for example, have not been proven safe for pregnant women, and there are reports of withdrawal or toxicity symptoms in newborns whose mothers took these medications during pregnancy. Nonbenzodiazepines should also be avoided during pregnancy, as studies have shown an increase in low birth weight, preterm delivery, and C-sections in pregnant women who used these drugs.
Zolpidem, a sedative-hypnotic medication, has been deemed safe by some studies, which found no adverse effects in infants exposed to the drug in the womb or via breastfeeding. However, other studies have shown an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, anemia, and delivery by cesarean section in women who took zolpidem during pregnancy.
Unisom, an over-the-counter sleep aid, contains the antihistamine doxylamine, which is considered safe during pregnancy by healthcare professionals. Doxylamine is likely the safest option when it comes to sleep medications during pregnancy.
While there is a lack of data on the safety of prescription sleeping pills during pregnancy, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking any sleep medications or supplements. Lifestyle modifications, natural sleep aids, and supplements such as magnesium are recommended as first-line treatments for sleep disturbances during pregnancy.
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Frequently asked questions
Common side effects of 25 mg sleeping pills, such as Sleep-Tabs, include drowsiness, dizziness, and stomach upset. They may also cause excitability in children. In addition, sleeping pills can cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals may sleepwalk or eat in their sleep. Other side effects include constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, and digestive problems.
No, 25 mg sleeping pills are not recommended for children. There is a risk of overdosing your child, and they can cause excitability. It is best to consult a pediatrician or pediatric sleep specialist before giving your child any sleep medication.
Yes, sleeping pills can be addictive and are meant for short-term use only. They should not be used continuously over an extended period to avoid long-term side effects and the development of dependence. Abruptly quitting sleeping pills can cause rebound insomnia, where insomnia may return worse than before.
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