Herbie Murray
Sleeping pills are medications that can help you fall asleep and stay asleep if you have a sleep disorder like insomnia. They are available over the counter (OTC) or by prescription. While they can be effective in improving sleep, they may also have side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and allergic reactions. One of the risks of sleeping pills is the potential for dependency, where they become less effective over time and higher doses are needed. Additionally, it is important to avoid mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or other drugs as it can lead to dangerous consequences, including death. Before taking any sleep aids, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to ensure safe use and avoid potential interactions with other medications or health conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you take sleeping pills on an empty stomach? | It is not advisable to take sleeping pills on an empty stomach. |
| Sleeping pills and food | Sleeping pills should be taken with food or after eating a meal. |
| Lifestyle changes | Sleeping pills are not a cure for insomnia and should be combined with lifestyle changes or cognitive-behavioral therapy. |
| Side effects | Sleeping pills can have side effects such as dizziness, prolonged drowsiness, headache, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and rarely, severe allergic reactions or facial swelling. |
| Overdose | An overdose of sleeping pills can occur if you take more than the recommended amount or combine them with alcohol or other medications. |
| Dependency | Sleeping pills can cause dependency, meaning they become less effective over time and higher doses are needed. |
| Natural alternatives | Natural alternatives such as melatonin and valerian supplements can aid sleep without the same risks as sleeping pills. |
| Precautions | It is important to read the instructions and package inserts carefully, consult a healthcare provider, and not mix sleeping pills with alcohol or other drugs. |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pills and alcohol
While it is not recommended to take sleeping pills on an empty stomach, it is even more dangerous to take them with alcohol.
Sleeping pills can be a short-term solution for sleep disorders such as insomnia, helping those who take them to fall and stay asleep. They are available over the counter, as natural supplements, or by prescription. However, prescription sleeping pills can cause side effects such as dizziness, prolonged drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. Over-the-counter sleep aids may also cause side effects, including dizziness, memory problems, and prolonged drowsiness.
Alcohol is a depressant and can negatively impact anxiety and depression. Combining alcohol with sleeping pills can increase the sedating effects of both, thus seriously increasing the risk of overdose. Even drinking one alcoholic beverage in combination with sleeping pills can be dangerous. The side effects of mixing alcohol and sleeping pills include drowsiness, impaired motor control, lowered blood pressure, memory problems, slowed heart rate, and slowed or difficulty breathing.
People who mix alcohol and sleeping pills may also experience complex sleep-related behaviours, such as eating, talking on the phone, and even driving with no recollection. Additionally, frequent or regular use of both alcohol and sedative sleeping pills can result in more severe or complicated withdrawal symptoms when attempts are made to quit. In such cases, it is important to seek the care of a physician. Treatment for alcohol and sleeping pill addiction typically consists of medical detox, rebound insomnia treatment, therapy, relapse prevention skills training, and behavioural interventions.
Therefore, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking any sleep aids or medications and to follow their instructions carefully. It is also important to be honest with your doctor about your alcohol consumption and any other drugs you may be taking to ensure safe and effective treatment.
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Side effects
Sleeping pills can have adverse side effects, especially when taken long-term. They are intended for short-term use only and should not be used continuously over an extended period. 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.
Some common side effects of prescription sleeping pills include dizziness, prolonged drowsiness, headache, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation. In rare cases, they can also cause severe allergic reactions or facial swelling. Over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids may also cause side effects such as dizziness, memory problems, and prolonged drowsiness that lingers into the following day. Older patients and those with medical conditions or taking other drugs are at a higher risk of experiencing these side effects.
Sleeping pills can also lead to long-term side effects such as poor memory, brain degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, and an increased risk of accidental falls. They may also lead to or worsen depression, especially in patients with liver and kidney problems. Benzodiazepines, a powerful class of sleeping pills, carry a risk of overdose and increased mortality with long-term use. Non-benzodiazepine (Non-BZD) or Z-drugs are fast-acting sleeping pills with minimal side effects and a low potential for drug tolerance and addiction. However, they may cause sleep-walking, driving, eating, or other activities while not fully awake, which can lead to serious injuries.
It is important to carefully read the instructions and package inserts of any sleep medication to understand its safe use and potential side effects. Timing is crucial, and it is recommended to take sleeping pills 20-30 minutes before bedtime and get into bed within 10-15 minutes of ingestion. Always consult a healthcare provider before taking any sleep medication, especially if you are experiencing other medical issues.
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Over-the-counter vs prescription
Sleeping pills can help you fall asleep and stay asleep if you have a sleep disorder like insomnia. They are available over the counter (OTC) or by prescription. Anyone over the age of 18 can buy OTC sleep medications at drugstores or other retail locations. However, you need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get prescription sleeping pills.
Prescription sleeping pills are stronger than over-the-counter ones. Providers don't usually recommend using them long-term because they're not a cure for insomnia and there's a risk of dependence and addiction. They may help in some cases, but providers will usually only prescribe them for short-term relief. Benzodiazepines, for instance, work by stimulating a chemical in the brain called GABA, which leads to sedation, muscle relaxation, and reduced anxiety. Z-drugs, like zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), work by slowing down brain activity. Prescription sleep medications can cause side effects such as dizziness, prolonged drowsiness, headache, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and rarely, severe allergic reactions or facial swelling.
Over-the-counter sleep aids are easily accessible, but you should check with your healthcare provider before taking them. Drugs in OTC sleep aids (including supplements) can interfere with other medications or make health conditions worse. Common ingredients in antihistamines include diphenhydramine and doxylamine. Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine commonly used in drug store sleep aids, can cause dizziness, memory problems, and prolonged drowsiness that lingers into the following day. Melatonin supplements are widely available over the counter. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body that promotes sleep.
It's important to use caution when taking any sleep medication. Before taking any sleep aids or drugs, read all instructions and package inserts carefully to understand safe use and to learn about possible side effects. Make sure that you've scheduled enough time for a full night's sleep, typically seven to eight hours for most people. If you take a sleep drug and wake up after only a few hours, you may still feel groggy. Going to bed within a few minutes of taking a prescription sleeping pill will help prevent "complex sleep-related behaviors." According to the FDA, people on sleep drugs have performed activities such as eating, making phone calls, having sex, and even driving while not fully awake, with no memory of those acts.
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Dependency and addiction
Sleeping pills can be beneficial for those with sleep problems, but they can also be addictive. Dependency on sleeping pills can develop quickly, sometimes within a few weeks, especially if they are used for too long, at too high a dose, or without a prescription. This is true of both older types of sleeping pills, such as benzodiazepines, and newer "Z-drugs" like Ambien and Sonata. While Z-drugs are considered less physically addictive, they may foster psychological addiction.
Some signs that you may be dependent on or addicted to sleeping pills include:
- You steadily increase your dosage.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop or cut down, such as trouble sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, shivering, dizziness, sweating, increased heart rate, and shaking.
- You feel a psychological need to keep using the drug even when you want to stop.
- You experience cravings or physical and emotional distress when you try to quit.
- You continue to use sleeping pills even though doing so causes problems in your social life or personal relationships.
- You seek out new doctors to write you a prescription.
- You have been taking sleep aids for months or years and cannot quit.
If you think you may be addicted to sleeping pills, it is important to seek help. It can be very difficult to stop using these drugs without professional assistance. The best way to stop taking sleeping pills is to gradually reduce the dose with the guidance of a doctor, and psychological or therapeutic support can also be beneficial.
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Safe usage
If you are prescribed sleeping pills, follow your doctor's instructions on dosage and timing. Take the pills as directed and go to bed within a few minutes to prevent "complex sleep-related behaviors." It is crucial not to increase the dosage without consulting your doctor. Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol or other drugs can lead to severe side effects, including overdose and, in some cases, death. Driving or operating machinery after taking sleeping pills is strictly prohibited.
Over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pills are also available, but it is still important to consult your healthcare provider before taking them. OTC sleep aids can interfere with other medications or worsen existing medical conditions. While OTC sleeping pills are not typically addictive, prescription sleeping pills can lead to dependence and addiction. Therefore, it is essential to follow your doctor's advice on how long to take them and how to stop safely.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some natural remedies, such as melatonin and valerian, can help promote sleep without the same risks as sleeping pills. Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates sleep, and valerian is an herb that aids relaxation. These alternatives can be explored before resorting to sleeping pills. Overall, safe usage of sleeping pills involves careful consultation with healthcare professionals, adherence to instructions, avoiding mixing with other substances, and exploring alternative treatments when possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping pills can have several side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and rarely, severe allergic reactions or facial swelling. Over-the-counter sleep aids may also cause dizziness, memory problems, and prolonged drowsiness.
It is generally not recommended to take sleeping pills on an empty stomach. Eating a light snack before taking the pill can help to reduce the risk of stomach upset and other side effects. However, it is important to get into bed quickly after taking the pill, as people may enter a "'sleep-walking' phase while still awake, leading to unintended consequences.
Yes, sleeping pills can be addictive, and it is easy to become dependent on them. This means that over time, higher doses are needed to fall asleep, and it becomes more difficult to sleep without them. Therefore, it is recommended to limit the use of sleeping pills to a short period of time, typically two to four weeks.
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