Evie Summers
Sleeping pills are prescription medications containing tranquilizers to treat insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. There are several types of sleeping pills, including benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and herbal medicines. While sleeping pills can be effective in the short term, they are not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of side effects and dependency. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before taking any sleeping pills to ensure safe and effective use. Some common sleeping pills, such as estazolam (Prosom) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), carry a risk of misuse and dependency and may cause side effects like dizziness, fatigue, irritability, and depression. Natural alternatives, such as melatonin, may be recommended for improving sleep quality and morning alertness, especially for older adults.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe sleeping pills | Benzodiazepines, Suvorexant, Melatonin, Estazolam (Prosom), Eszopiclone (Lunesta), Triazolam (Halcion), Ramelteon (Rozerem), Zaleplon (Sonata) |
| Safe short-term use | Estazolam (Prosom), Eszopiclone (Lunesta), Triazolam (Halcion), Zaleplon (Sonata) |
| Safe for children | Melatonin |
| Safe for pregnant people | None |
| Side effects | Constipation, Diarrhea, Muscle weakness, Digestive problems, Worsening of snoring and sleep apnea, Dependency, Parasomnia, Poor memory, Brain degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, Risk of accidental falls, Respiratory depression, Dizziness, Fatigue, Irritability, Depression, Withdrawal symptoms, Weight gain, Dry mouth, Decreased sexual drive, Constipation, Difficulty urinating |
| Risks | Overdose, Rebound insomnia, Drug tolerance, Misuse |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use
Sleeping pills are medications that can help you fall asleep. They are available over the counter and by prescription. However, sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use due to their potential side effects and risk of dependence and addiction.
Sleeping pills can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and increased snoring and sleep apnea. When taken nightly, the body may become dependent on them, and stopping the medication may result in rebound insomnia, where insomnia returns worse than before. This process of discontinuing sleep aids can take months, and a healthcare provider should be consulted during this process.
Additionally, mixing sleeping pills with other sedatives or alcohol can lead to an increased risk of injuries, memory issues, and even death due to the combined effect on breathing. Certain prescription sleep medications, such as Z-drugs, may also cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals may sleepwalk, eat, or drive while mostly asleep.
While sleeping pills can provide short-term relief for insomnia, they are not a cure. Healthcare providers typically recommend exploring other methods to improve sleep before resorting to sleeping pills. This is especially important for older adults, as sleeping pills carry special risks for this age group.
Furthermore, research has indicated that long-term use of certain sleeping pills, such as hypnotics, anxiolytics, and benzodiazepines, may increase mortality rates. Therefore, it is generally advised to limit the use of sleeping pills to a short duration, typically two to four weeks, to minimise potential risks.
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Side effects of sleeping pills
Sleeping pills can cause a range of side effects, and it is important to be aware of these before taking them. Sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of dependence and other side effects.
Common side effects of sleeping pills include constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, and digestive problems such as gas, heartburn, and nausea. They can also worsen snoring and sleep apnea, and may even lead to rebound insomnia when discontinued. It is important not to mix sleeping pills with other sedatives or alcohol, as this can lead to an overdose.
Some prescription sleep medicines may cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals engage in dangerous behaviours while still mostly asleep. This includes sleepwalking, eating, taking medications, talking, or even driving without being fully awake and aware.
Sleeping pills can also cause daytime drowsiness, muddled thinking, dizziness, and balance problems, impacting an individual's ability to drive, work, or perform daily tasks. Older adults are at a higher risk of experiencing health problems due to sleeping pills, including confusion, memory issues, and an increased risk of falls and hip fractures.
It is always recommended to consult a healthcare provider before taking any sleeping pills, especially when pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving them to children.
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Natural alternatives to sleeping pills
Sleeping pills can cause side effects and should not be used long-term. Over-the-counter and prescription pills can cause constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and can worsen snoring and sleep apnea. When taken night after night, the body may also become dependent on them, and when you stop taking them, your insomnia may return worse than before, in what is known as rebound insomnia. There is also a risk of overdose, and they can cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can cause dangerous behaviours while you are still mostly asleep.
- Valerian: This herbal medicine has sedative qualities and has been found to help postmenopausal women suffering from insomnia.
- Chamomile: This plant has a sedative effect and promotes rest and sleep. It has also been found to help postpartum mothers sleep better and alleviate depressive symptoms.
- Lavender: This fragrant plant has calming effects that might promote restful sleep. A 2015 study found that it improved the quality of sleep for postpartum mothers.
- Hops: A 2014 study found that non-alcoholic beer with hops improved the quality of sleep for university students.
- Melatonin: This hormone is produced in the pineal gland and governs our circadian cycles. Taking melatonin supplements may help you fall asleep and improve your sleep quality. A 2016 study found that taking melatonin helped shift workers sleep longer and more soundly.
- Passionflower: This plant contains chemicals that have a calming effect and can produce feelings of relaxation and tiredness when combined with other plants in a herbal blend. A 2016 study found that ingesting passionflower for four weeks helped mitigate many sleep issues.
- Ginseng: A 2013 study found that red ginseng extract helped people who had problems falling asleep, with subjects reporting better-quality sleep after taking the extract for a week.
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Sleeping pills and their interactions
Sleeping pills are prescription medications containing tranquilizers to treat insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. While they can help with sleep problems in the short term, they should not be used continuously over an extended period to avoid adverse side effects. Sleeping pills can cause constipation or diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and worsen snoring and sleep apnea. They can also cause rebound insomnia, a form of worsened insomnia that occurs when you stop taking the medication. It is important not to mix sleeping pills with other sedatives or alcohol due to the risk of overdose. Additionally, some prescription sleep medicines may induce parasomnia, leading to dangerous behaviours such as sleepwalking, eating, or driving while mostly asleep.
Benzodiazepines, such as temazepam, are the most common type of prescription sleeping pills. They slow down brain and body functions, promoting relaxation and aiding sleep. However, they are recommended for short-term use, typically less than four weeks, due to the risk of dependency and potential side effects like dizziness, fatigue, irritability, and long-term issues like depression, especially in patients with liver and kidney disease. Non-benzodiazepine or Z-drugs are fast-acting sleeping pills with effects lasting up to eight hours. Examples include eszopiclone (Lunesta) and zaleplon (Sonata), which carry risks of misuse and dependency and may cause complex sleep behaviours.
Antidepressants are another group of drugs that can treat depression, stress, and anxiety. They work on neurotransmitters in the central nervous system to induce sleep and reduce anxiety. However, they can cause side effects such as constipation, difficulty urinating, dry mouth, decreased sexual drive, and weight gain. Antidepressants are not prescribed to children or adolescents due to the risk of severe side effects. It is important to consult a doctor before taking any sleeping pills, especially if you have existing health conditions such as lung disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, or obstructive sleep apnea.
Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps regulate sleep and waking patterns. It can be recommended for people over 55 with poor sleep and occasionally for children with long-term sleep problems. Suvorexant is a newer medication that blocks chemicals in the brain that keep people awake and can be used for longer periods compared to other prescription sleeping pills. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter sleeping pills or supplements, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as the medication can pass to the fetus or baby.
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Safely stopping the use of sleeping pills
It is important to remember that sleeping pills are not meant for long-term use and can have side effects. They can also lead to dependence, with the risk of developing an addiction increasing with higher doses and longer durations of use. If you have been taking sleeping pills for a long time, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional before stopping their use.
When you stop taking sleeping pills, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, shivering, dizziness, and circulation problems. In some cases, severe withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations and seizures may occur. To minimise the impact of withdrawal symptoms, it is generally recommended to gradually reduce the dosage of sleeping pills over time, a process known as tapering-off. This process can take a few weeks to several months, depending on the individual. During this time, it is important to seek medical supervision and support to ensure a safe and effective detox.
To aid the tapering-off process, doctors may administer intravenous (IV) fluids to balance electrolytes and replenish the body. Additionally, psychological or therapeutic support can be beneficial in managing the physical and psychological discomfort associated with withdrawal. It is important to be aware that abruptly quitting sleeping pills can intensify the withdrawal process, making it more challenging to navigate. Therefore, gradual reduction of dosage is generally the preferred method of treatment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to sleeping pills, there are treatment options available. You can contact a treatment provider to discuss options for inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment, including medical detox and rehab facilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Suvorexant is a newer medicine that blocks chemicals in your brain that keep you awake. It can be useful if you wake up during the night and struggle to go back to sleep. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps control your sleep and waking patterns and is available for people over 55 with poor sleep. Estazolam (Prosom) and Eszopiclone (Lunesta) are also prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia.
Pregnant women should not take Restoril. Additionally, women who are breastfeeding should be cautious when taking any sleeping pills, as the medication can be passed on to the baby.
Sleeping pills can cause constipation or diarrhea, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and worsen snoring and sleep apnea. They can also cause rebound insomnia, where your insomnia comes back worse than before. Further, parasomnia may occur, which is a disruptive sleep disorder that causes dangerous behaviors while you are still mostly asleep, such as sleepwalking or driving.
Some medicines not designed as sleeping pills may cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines and antidepressants. However, these should only be taken under medical advice. Additionally, behavioral changes such as improving sleep hygiene and stimulus control can help treat insomnia.
