Evie Summers
Sleeping pills are medications that can help people suffering from sleep disorders like insomnia. They are available over the counter or by prescription. While they can be effective in improving sleep, they can also have side effects and risks. Taking more than the recommended dose can lead to an overdose, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Mixing sleeping pills with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, can further increase the risk of overdose and adverse health effects. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and consult a doctor before taking sleeping pills, especially if you are taking other medications or have underlying health conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To help people with sleep disorders like insomnia fall asleep and stay asleep |
| Availability | Over-the-counter, as natural supplements, or by prescription |
| Age restriction | Anyone age 18 and older can buy OTC sleep medications |
| Side effects | Constipation, diarrhea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, worsened snoring and sleep apnea, memory issues, balance problems, confusion, etc. |
| Risk factors | Addiction, dependence, withdrawal, sleep-induced injuries, parasomnia, increased side effects with long-term use, etc. |
| Overdose | Possible, especially if taking more than prescribed or combining with other substances like opioids or alcohol; may lead to death or brain damage |
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What You'll Learn
Side effects of sleeping pills
Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects, from constipation to muscle weakness. Around 8 out of 10 people experience a hangover effect the day after taking sleep medicine, feeling drowsy, having muddled thinking, and experiencing dizziness or balance problems. These daytime effects can negatively impact your ability to drive, work, or study and complete daily tasks.
Sleeping pills can also cause digestive problems, including gas, heartburn, and nausea. They may worsen snoring and sleep apnea. When you take sleeping pills every night, your body may start to depend on them, and when you stop taking them, your insomnia may return worse than before (rebound insomnia). Sleeping pills can also cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that causes people to sleepwalk, eat, take medications, talk, or even drive while mostly asleep.
Sleeping pills have special risks for older adults as they can stay in the body longer, causing side effects like confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, which can increase the risk of falls and hip fractures. They can also cause breathing irregularities, which can be dangerous for people with asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It is possible to overdose on sleeping pills, especially if taken with other substances like opioids or alcohol. An overdose can lead to death, with physical signs including extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing trouble, and clumsiness.
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Overdose symptoms
Overdosing on sleeping pills can lead to death. The symptoms of a sleeping pill overdose vary depending on the type of medication and dose. However, some common symptoms include:
- Extreme lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing trouble
- Clumsiness
- Memory loss
- Strange behaviour
- Excessive sleepiness
It is important to note that even if the person is talking, slowed heartbeat and breathing can be especially dangerous and may require immediate medical attention.
Additionally, older adults are at a greater risk of overdose from sleeping pills due to decreased drug metabolism rates. Combining sleeping pills with other substances, such as opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines, also increases the risk of overdose and can lead to life-threatening consequences.
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Treatment for overdose
If you suspect that someone has overdosed on sleeping pills, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, there are several steps you can take to help the person who has overdosed:
- Check for symptoms of overdose, such as extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, decreased heart rate, loss of coordination, and confusion.
- Administer CPR if the person appears to be gasping for air or if their breathing ceases and they lose consciousness.
- If you are trained to do so, administer naloxone.
The treatment for a sleeping pill overdose will depend on the type and amount of sleeping pill taken, as well as the individual's overall health status. However, there are several standard treatment approaches:
- Flumazenil: This medication is often used in cases of benzodiazepine overdose, which includes some types of sleeping pills. It works by blocking the effects of benzodiazepines on the brain, effectively reversing the overdose. However, it may not be effective for all types of sleeping pills and carries certain risks, so medical professionals will decide its use on a case-by-case basis.
- Gastric lavage (stomach pump): This procedure involves inserting a tube down the patient's throat into the stomach to pump out its contents.
- Activated charcoal, hemodialysis, or whole bowel irrigation: These methods may also be used to treat an overdose.
Following an overdose, long-term management and treatment may be necessary. This can include relapse prevention, support networks, medication-assisted treatment, and counselling or addiction treatment if the overdose was intentional or due to substance misuse.
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Addiction and withdrawal
Sleeping pills can be highly addictive, and users can become dependent on them in a very short time. The risk of addiction is higher if the pills are used for an extended period or at a high dose. Women, especially older women, are more likely to become dependent on sleeping pills.
Sleeping pills are both physically and psychologically addictive. The body can become reliant on the drugs to function, and quitting can cause withdrawal symptoms as the body tries to readjust. Withdrawal symptoms can be moderate to severe and may include trouble sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, shivering, dizziness, circulation problems, seizures, and even life-threatening issues.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur when people suddenly stop using sleeping pills, and they can start within a few hours or weeks after quitting. To avoid a relapse, it is important to minimise withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. This can be done by gradually reducing the dose over several weeks with medical supervision. Medical detox is recommended as it is the safest way to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent potential health risks.
Sleeping pill users with multiple addictions and/or co-occurring mental health problems may experience a more complicated withdrawal process and may require a longer stay in medical detox. Psychological or therapeutic support can also help during the withdrawal process. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective tool for improving sleep and curing insomnia without the use of medication.
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Safety and effectiveness
Sleeping pills are central nervous system depressants that slow down brain activity to help you rest. They are generally considered safe for short-term use, but they can cause dependence and other side effects if used long-term.
Effectiveness
Sleeping pills can help you fall asleep faster and extend your sleep duration by 35 minutes on average. However, studies show that they are not very effective in promoting a good night's rest. They are best used sparingly and for short periods, such as when a stressful life event disrupts your sleep.
Safety
Sleeping pills are generally safe when taken as directed by a healthcare professional. However, taking a higher dose than prescribed or combining them with other substances like opioids or alcohol can lead to an overdose. Overdose symptoms include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, and clumsiness. Accidental overdoses can occur due to dependence or when individuals take too much of the drug or mix it with other drugs that enhance its depressive effects. Older adults are at a higher risk of overdose due to decreased drug metabolism rates.
Precautions
To ensure safe use, individuals should only take sleeping pills as prescribed and avoid mixing them with other substances. Regular check-ins with a healthcare professional are important to monitor side effects and adjust dosages as needed. Sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of dependence and side effects like memory issues, worsened sleep quality, and digestive problems. Older adults should explore non-drug treatments first, as there may be safer ways to improve sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Taking 4 sleeping pills can lead to an overdose, which can be fatal. An overdose occurs when an individual takes a higher dose than prescribed or takes sleeping pills more frequently than prescribed. It is also possible to overdose on sleeping pills accidentally if you take too much of the drug or combine it with other drugs that enhance its depressive effects.
Physical signs of a sleeping pill overdose include extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, breathing trouble, and clumsiness.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an overdose, administer CPR and call 911 immediately if the victim appears to be gasping for air or if breathing ceases and consciousness is lost. Flumazenil is often used to counter the effects of a sleeping pill overdose, and a stomach pump can be used to remove the drugs from the stomach.
Yes, taking 4 sleeping pills can increase your risk of developing a dependence on the medication, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you reduce your dose or stop taking the medication. Additionally, long-term use of sleeping pills has been linked to memory problems, changes to sleep stages, and worsening sleep quality.
Yes, there are several alternatives to taking sleeping pills for sleep problems. These include lifestyle adjustments such as limiting caffeine intake and practicing good sleep hygiene. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is also an effective tool for improving sleep and curing insomnia. For older adults, it is recommended to try non-drug treatments first, as there may be safer ways to improve sleep.
