Colin Snow
Sleeping pills are prescription medications that contain tranquilizers to treat insomnia, restless sleep, or difficulty falling asleep. They are typically prescribed by doctors, who may recommend trying alternative methods to get a better night's sleep before prescribing sleeping pills. These methods can include keeping a sleep diary, changing your sleep environment, or trying cognitive behavioral therapy. Sleeping pills are generally only recommended for short-term use due to the risk of dependency and addiction, and they may interact with other substances or medications. Some common prescription sleeping pills include triazolam (Halcion), estazolam (Prosom), eszopiclone (Lunesta), suvorexant (Belsomra), and zolpidem (Ambien).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prescribers | Doctors, healthcare providers |
| Prescription duration | Short-term, typically a few weeks |
| Drug classes | Benzodiazepines, melatonin, antidepressants, Z-drugs, non-BZD drugs |
| Drugs | Zolpidem, Ambien, Zopiclone, Lunesta, Silenor, Halcion, Rozerem, Belsomra, Desyrel, Prosom, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, Restoril, Ritalin, Provigil, Wakix, Xyrem, Xywav, Remeron, Seroquel |
| Precautions | Avoid mixing with alcohol, other sedatives, or vitamin supplements. Do not drive after taking pills. |
| Side effects | Dependency, addiction, withdrawal symptoms, rebound insomnia, brain degeneration, respiratory depression, accidental falls |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping pills are typically prescribed for short-term use
Sleeping pills can have side effects, and there is a risk of overdose if they are mixed with other sedatives or alcohol. In addition, some prescription sleep medicines may cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals may engage in dangerous behaviours while still mostly asleep. For these reasons, healthcare providers typically prescribe sleeping pills for short-term relief only.
Benzodiazepines, a class of drugs often prescribed as sleeping pills, carry a risk of misuse and dependence. To mitigate this risk, healthcare providers will usually only prescribe them for short periods, typically ranging from 7 to 10 days. Other medications, such as doxepin (Silenor), may be suggested for short-term use, generally up to 3 months, due to potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, such as eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien), are also used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. These drugs carry a risk of misuse and dependence, further emphasising the need for short-term prescription practices. Ramelteon (Rozerem), a melatonin receptor stimulator, is another option that doctors may prescribe for longer-term use due to its lower risk profile.
In summary, sleeping pills are typically prescribed for short-term use to mitigate the risks associated with long-term usage, including dependence, addiction, and potential side effects. Healthcare providers carefully consider each patient's needs and may recommend alternative treatments before prescribing sleeping pills.
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Doctors will recommend lifestyle changes before medication
Healthcare providers, including doctors, can prescribe medication to help patients sleep. However, prescription sleeping pills are typically only recommended for short-term relief. This is because they are not a cure for insomnia, and there is a risk of dependence and addiction.
Healthcare providers may suggest trying alternative methods to improve sleep before prescribing medication. They might recommend keeping a sleep diary, in which patients track their sleep patterns. Doctors may also recommend changing the sleep environment, for example, sleeping in a cool, dark room, or avoiding distractions and large meals before bed.
Additionally, doctors may suggest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a way to improve sleep without medication. They may also recommend avoiding caffeine throughout the day and alcohol before bed.
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Sleeping pills are not suitable for children
Sleeping pills are prescription medications that treat insomnia by making one feel drowsy and relaxed. They are typically recommended for short-term use due to the risk of dependence and addiction. While they can help adults fall asleep faster, they are not suitable for children.
Firstly, there are currently no prescription sleep medicines available for children. Healthcare providers recommend changing a child's sleep behaviours and habits as the primary method to improve their sleep quality. This includes maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, a comfortable sleep environment, and a bedtime routine. Additionally, children under the age of two should not be given sedative medicines.
Secondly, sleep aids, including prescription medications and natural supplements, can have side effects. In children, these side effects can include irritability, hyperactivity, challenging behaviour, and daytime drowsiness. The risk of side effects is higher in older adults, who may experience confusion, memory issues, and balance problems, increasing their risk of falls and fractures. However, children are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of medications due to their developing bodies and brains.
Thirdly, sleeping pills are not a cure for insomnia and are intended for short-term relief. They can also cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder where individuals may sleepwalk, eat, talk, or even drive while mostly asleep. This can be dangerous for children as they may unintentionally harm themselves or others without being fully aware of their actions.
Lastly, some sleeping pills can be addictive and lead to substance use disorders. While this is a concern for individuals of all ages, children may be more susceptible to developing dependencies and addictions due to their impressionable and developing brains. Therefore, it is crucial to explore alternative methods to improve a child's sleep before considering sleeping pills.
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Sleeping pills can be addictive
Sleeping pills are medications that can help treat insomnia and other sleep disturbances by making you feel drowsy and relaxed. They can be prescribed by doctors or healthcare providers, who may also recommend non-drug treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, or keeping a sleep diary.
Benzodiazepines, a type of sleeping pill, carry a higher addiction potential and can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Z-drugs, such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), are also associated with a risk of misuse and dependency, and may cause complex sleep behaviours such as sleepwalking or driving while asleep. Other sleeping pills with a risk of dependency include estazolam (Prosom), suvorexant (Belsomra), and triazolam (Halcion).
It is important to consult a doctor or healthcare provider before starting or stopping any sleep medication to ensure safe usage and to prevent addiction or withdrawal issues. They may recommend seeking counselling or learning skills to help you fall asleep without medication, such as mindfulness techniques or meditation. Additionally, it is advised to try alternative methods to improve sleep before resorting to sleeping pills, especially for older adults and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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There are non-prescription options available
The most common ingredient in OTC sleep aids is antihistamine, which helps facilitate sleep by blocking histamines that cause alertness in the body. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine are widely used antihistamines in OTC sleep aids. Diphenhydramine is generally milder and less expensive than doxylamine, with less of a "hangover effect" the next day. It is the active ingredient in Sleep Eze, Sominex, Nytol, Tylenol PM, and Unisom SleepGels. Doxylamine succinate, on the other hand, is one of the most sedating antihistamines available over the counter and can help individuals stay asleep longer. However, it may have more pronounced side effects and a stronger "hangover effect" the next day. It is important to note that tolerance to the sedative effects of antihistamines can develop quickly, and OTC sleep aids should be discontinued if any adverse side effects occur.
CBD is another non-prescription option that is being studied as a treatment for insomnia. CBD comes in multiple forms, including pills, edibles, patches, and creams. While studies have found that CBD can relieve anxiety, a common contributor to insomnia and other sleep disorders, there is not yet conclusive data on its effectiveness as a sleep aid.
Before taking any over-the-counter sleep aids or supplements, it is important to consult a healthcare provider, especially for individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving sleep aids to children. Healthcare providers may recommend alternative methods to improve sleep, such as keeping a sleep diary, changing sleep environments, or trying cognitive behavioural therapy.
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Frequently asked questions
Doctors or healthcare providers can prescribe sleeping pills.
Doctors commonly prescribe non-BZD drugs such as Zolpidem, Ambien, and Zopiclone. They may also prescribe melatonin, which is a synthetic drug that mimics the same hormone in the brain to help stimulate sleep. Other examples include Doxepin (Silenor), Estazolam (Prosom), and Eszopiclone (Lunesta).
Sleeping pills can have both short-term and long-term adverse effects, and it may take months to stop taking them. If you have been taking sleep aids for a long time, talk to your doctor about how to stop safely.
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