Miya Pearson
Sleep is an essential part of a healthy life, and for those who struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders, sleeping pills can be a solution. Sleeping pills are a broad category of medication that aids sleep, and they are available in prescription and over-the-counter forms. Some common prescription sleeping pills include Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril, and Belsomra, while over-the-counter options include Unisom and ZzzQuil. It is important to note that sleeping pills can be addictive, and they should be used with caution and under medical supervision. In this article, we will explore the various brands of sleeping pills, their uses, and potential risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Ambien, Intermezzo, Zolpimist, Sonata, Lunesta, Restoril, Belsomra, Dayvigo, Quviviq, Rozerem, Silenor, ZzzQuil, Unisom, Nyquil Cough, Benadryl, Melatonin |
| Generic names | Zolpidem, Temazepam, Suvorexant, Lemborexant, Quazepam, Doxepin, Diphenhydramine, Doxylamine |
| Availability | Prescription, Over-the-counter |
| Dosage | 8 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg |
| Side effects | Dependency, addiction, misuse, allergic reactions, CNS impairments, hallucinations, mood changes, memory loss, complex sleep behaviours |
| Interactions | Alcohol, other medications, vitamin supplements |
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What You'll Learn
Zolpidem (Ambien, Intermezzo, Zolpimist)
Zolpidem, also known by the brand names Ambien, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist, is a sedative-hypnotic sleep medication that may help with falling asleep and staying asleep. Zolpidem is a GABA agonist, which means it works by slowing down activity in the brain to allow sleep. It is not a benzodiazepine, although it has a similar mechanism of action. Zolpidem is typically prescribed for short-term relief from insomnia and is available in a once-daily 12.5 mg extended-release form. Doctors usually start with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase it up to a maximum of 10 mg per day if needed.
When taking zolpidem, it is important to plan to go to bed right after taking the medication and to stay in bed for 7 to 8 hours. Zolpidem can cause drowsiness and problems with memory, alertness, or coordination if you do not get enough sleep after taking it. It is also important to swallow the extended-release tablets whole and not to split, chew, or crush them. Zolpidem sublingual tablets (Intermezzo) should only be taken when you are already in bed and can remain in bed for at least 4 more hours.
Zolpidem may cause serious, or possibly life-threatening, complex sleep behaviours. Some people who took zolpidem have reported engaging in activities such as driving, preparing and eating food, having sex, making phone calls, or sleepwalking while not fully awake. These people were unable to remember what they had done after they woke up. It is important to inform your doctor if you experience any unusual sleep behaviours while taking zolpidem and to stop taking the medication if you find out you have been doing anything unusual while sleeping.
Additionally, zolpidem can be addictive, and physical dependence on the drug can develop within a couple of weeks, even when used at recommended dosages. It is important to discuss any concerns about potential addiction or dependence with your healthcare provider. Zolpidem may also interact with certain herbal products, such as St. John's wort, and it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications or supplements.
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Temazepam (Restoril)
Temazepam, sold under the brand name Restoril, is a benzodiazepine medication used to treat insomnia and induce sleep. It is a central nervous system depressant, slowing down brain activity and causing drowsiness, which helps patients fall asleep and stay asleep. Temazepam is typically prescribed for short-term use, usually between 7 to 10 days, and should be taken just before bedtime. It is important to note that Restoril is only available via prescription and should be taken exactly as directed by a healthcare provider.
Temazepam comes with certain risks and side effects that users should be aware of. One of the most significant risks associated with Restoril is the potential for misuse, addiction, and overdose. It is crucial that the medication is taken only as prescribed, and users should be cautious not to share their medication with others. Additionally, Restoril may cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals, and it is advised to discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling occur.
Another important consideration is the potential for withdrawal reactions. Temazepam can cause physical dependence, and stopping the medication suddenly can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. It is imperative to consult a healthcare provider before discontinuing the medication to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions. Elderly patients may also experience more severe side effects, including severe drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and unsteadiness.
Furthermore, Restoril can interact with other substances, particularly opioid medications, alcohol, or other drugs that slow breathing. Combining Restoril with these substances can lead to dangerous side effects or even death. It is recommended to consult a doctor before using Restoril in conjunction with any other medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal products. Additionally, users should refrain from driving or operating machinery until they know how Restoril affects them, as it can impair alertness, coordination, and reaction time.
Lastly, Temazepam may cause some individuals to engage in activities while not fully awake, such as driving, eating, or making phone calls, with no memory of these activities the next day. This phenomenon is known as "unaware activities while not fully awake." It is important for users to be aware of this potential side effect and take appropriate precautions.
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Rozerem
Some common sleeping pills include zolpidem, temazepam, suvorexant, zaleplon, doxepin, and eszopiclone. Zolpidem, for example, is available in a once-daily 12.5 mg extended-release form and has brand names like Ambien, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist. Doxepin, on the other hand, is a sleep aid with the brand name Silenor, which doctors may suggest for use for up to 3 months.
Now, let's focus on Rozerem:
Ramelteon works by mimicking the effects of melatonin, a natural hormone produced by the body in response to darkness, which signals to the body that it is time to sleep, thus helping to regulate the "sleep-wake cycle." Unlike many other sleep medications, Rozerem is not a controlled substance and is not known to be habit-forming. It has a low risk of misuse or dependency, and side effects are uncommon.
However, some side effects of Rozerem may include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and worsened sleep problems. It can also affect your alertness and coordination, even the day after taking it, so it is advised not to drive or perform other activities requiring alertness until you know how Rozerem affects you and you feel fully awake. In some cases, Rozerem has been associated with more severe side effects, including allergic reactions, depression, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, and complex sleep behaviours such as sleepwalking, sleep driving, and preparing and eating food while not fully awake. If you experience any changes in mood, thoughts, or behaviour, you should stop taking Rozerem and contact your healthcare provider immediately.
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Belsomra (Suvorexant)
The medication is taken orally and has an intermediate elimination half-life of 12 hours, with a time to peak of about 2 to 3 hours. The recommended dose is 15 to 20 mg, which reduces the time to sleep onset by up to 10 minutes, reduces middle-of-the-night insomnia by 15 to 30 minutes, and increases total sleep time by 10 to 20 minutes. It is important to note that Belsomra has a risk of misuse and can cause central nervous system (CNS) impairments, leading to trouble with activities like driving.
A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that Belsomra improved subjective sleep onset, total sleep time, and sleep quality when assessed after one to three months of treatment. A more recent systematic review in 2022 found that Belsomra had an effect size against placebo for the treatment of insomnia at 4 weeks, with similar effectiveness to other orexin receptor antagonists like lemborexant and daridorexant.
Belsomra has been marketed in the United States, Canada, Australia, Russia, and Japan. It is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States, indicating a modest potential for misuse, while in Australia, it is prescription-only and not a controlled drug. It appears to have been discontinued in Canada and is not available in the United Kingdom or other European countries besides Russia.
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Zaleplon (Sonata)
Zaleplon, or Sonata, is a sedative and hypnotic medication used to treat insomnia. It belongs to a group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which slow down the nervous system. Zaleplon helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night. It is a nonbenzodiazepine or Z-drug of the pyrazolopyrimidine class. It was developed by King Pharmaceuticals and approved for medical use in the United States in 1999.
Zaleplon is available as Sonata and generic zaleplon in dosage forms taken by mouth. It should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods, such as during transportation. It should be stored in a cool, dry place and protected from light.
Zaleplon is typically recommended for short-term use, such as 1-2 days, and generally for no longer than 1-2 weeks. It is available only with a doctor's prescription. Before taking zaleplon, it is important to inform your doctor if you have any allergies or have experienced unusual reactions to similar medicines. Zaleplon may cause allergic reactions, and it is important to stop taking it and seek medical help if any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction occur.
Some of the less common but serious side effects of zaleplon include abnormal thoughts or behaviours, next-day drowsiness, memory loss, worsening of depression, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Zaleplon may also cause people to engage in activities while not fully awake, which they may not remember the next morning. It is important not to drive or engage in dangerous activities until you know how zaleplon affects you. Additionally, zaleplon may increase the risk of injury among the elderly, and it is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several brands of sleeping pills available. Some common ones include Ambien, Intermezzo, Zolpimist, Lunesta, Restoril, Belsomra, Dayvigo, Quviviq, and Zaleplon (Sonata). Some over-the-counter options include Unisom, ZzzQuil, and Nyquil Cough.
Belsomra (suvorexant) is a medication used to treat insomnia. It is an orexin receptor antagonist that works by inhibiting the neurotransmitter orexin, which is involved in wakefulness.
Zolpidem, sold under the brand names Ambien, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist, is often prescribed for short-term insomnia relief. Doctors typically start with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase it if needed, up to a maximum of 10 mg per day.
Yes, there are some over-the-counter sleep aids available, such as Unisom, ZzzQuil, and Nyquil Cough. These typically contain antihistamines that cause drowsiness and sedation, helping with sleep.
While antidepressants are not approved to treat sleep conditions, they may be effective for some people when other methods have failed. Doctors typically prescribe low doses of these medications. It is important to note that they are not a first-line treatment for insomnia.
