Prescription sleeping pills: What’s right for you?
Sleeping pills may help when stress, travel or other disruptions keep you awake. For long-run insomnia, behavior changes learned in behavioral therapy is normally the best discussion .By Mayo Clinic Staff
If you ‘re regularly having worry either falling or staying asleep ( insomnia ), make an appointment with your doctor. Treatment depends on what ‘s causing your insomnia. sometimes, an implicit in causal agent, such as a aesculapian condition or sleep perturb, can be found and treated — a much more effective approach path than just treating the symptom of insomnia itself.
Behavior changes learned through cognitive behavioral therapy are broadly the best treatment for haunting insomnia. Sleeping on a regular schedule, exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine and day naps, and keeping stress in crack besides are likely to help. But there are times when the addition of prescription sleeping pills may help you get some much needed rest .
All prescription sleeping pills have risks, specially for people with certain medical conditions, including liver or kidney disease. Always lecture with your doctor before trying a new treatment for insomnia .
here ‘s information on some of the most coarse types of prescription drug sleeping pills used today .
Types of prescription sleeping pills
prescription sleeping pills may help you fall asleep easier or stay asleep longer — or both. The risks and benefits of assorted prescription sleeping pills can differ. To find the right prescription medicine to help you sleep, your doctor by and large should :
- Ask questions to get a clear picture of your sleep patterns
- Order tests to rule out any underlying conditions that may be causing difficulty sleeping
- Discuss options for taking prescription sleeping medication, including how often and when to take it and in what form, such as pills, oral spray or dissolving tablets
- Prescribe a sleeping pill for a limited period of time to determine the benefits and side effects for you
- Have you try a different prescription sleeping pill if the first medication you take doesn’t work after the full prescribed course
- Help you determine whether there is a generic version, which is typically less expensive than brand-name drugs
insurance companies may have restrictions on which sleeping pills are covered, and they may require that you try other approaches to your insomnia first .
Prescription sleep medication options include the trace .
Sleep medication | Helps you fall asleep | Helps you stay asleep | Can lead to dependence |
---|---|---|---|
Doxepin (Silenor) | ✔ | ||
Estazolam | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Ramelteon (Rozerem) | ✔ | ||
Temazepam (Restoril) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Triazolam (Halcion) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Zaleplon (Sonata) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo, Zolpimist) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Zolpidem extended release (Ambien CR) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Suvorexant (Belsomra) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Side effects of prescription sleeping pills
Always ask your sophisticate about potential side effects before deciding which sleeping pills to consider taking. Depending on the type, prescription drug sleeping pills may include side effects such as :
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, which may lead to falls
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea and nausea
- Prolonged drowsiness, more so with drugs that help you stay asleep
- Severe allergic reaction
- Sleep-related behaviors, such as driving or eating when not fully awake
- Daytime memory and performance problems
Antidepressants with a sedating effect
sometimes prescription drugs used chiefly to treat natural depression may ease insomnia when taken in lower doses. Although wide used, these are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for insomnia. When insomnia is secondary to depression or anxiety, antidepressants may improve both conditions at the same time .
Examples include :
- Amitriptyline
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Trazodone
Side effects of antidepressants with a sedating effect
Antidepressants that have a sedate effect may include english effects such as :
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Headache
- Prolonged drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Irregular heartbeat
- Weight gain
- Daytime memory and performance problems
- Constipation
Safety considerations
prescription sleeping pills ( and evening some nonprescription sleeping pills ) ampere well as certain antidepressants may not be safe if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or an older adult. Sleeping pill use may increase the risk of night falls and injury in older adults. If you ‘re an older adult, your doctor may prescribe a lower drug of medication to reduce your risk of problems .
Some health conditions — for model, kidney disease, humble blood pressure, center rhythm problems ( arrhythmias ) or a history of seizures — may limit your options. besides, prescription drugs and nonprescription sleep aids may interact with early medications. And taking certain prescription sleeping pills can lead to drug maltreatment or drug dependence, so it ‘s important to follow your doctor ‘s advice .
Taking sleeping pills
If your best attempts to get a good nox ‘s sleep have failed, prescription sleeping pills may be an choice. here ‘s some advice on how to use them safely .
- Get a medical evaluation. Before you take sleeping pills, see your doctor for a thorough exam. Often your doctor may be able to find specific causes for your insomnia. If you’re taking sleeping pills for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor about an appropriate follow-up schedule to discuss your medications.
- Read the medication guide. Read the medication guide for patients so that you understand how and when to take your medication and what the major potential side effects are. If you have any questions, ask your pharmacist or your doctor.
- Never take a sleeping pill until you’re going to bed. Sleeping pills can make you less aware of what you’re doing, increasing the risk of dangerous situations. Wait to take your sleeping pill until you’ve completed all of your evening activities, immediately before you plan on sleeping.
- Take your sleeping pill when you can get a full night’s sleep. Only take a sleeping pill when you know you can get a full night’s sleep of at least seven to eight hours. A few short-acting sleeping pills are intended for middle of the night awakenings, so you may take them when you can stay in bed for at least four hours.
- Watch for side effects. If you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day or if you experience any other significant side effects, talk to your doctor about changing your dose or weaning off your pills. Don’t take a new sleeping pill the night before an important appointment or activity because you won’t know how it affects you.
- Avoid alcohol. Never mix alcohol and sleeping pills. Alcohol increases the sedative effects of the pills. Even a small amount of alcohol combined with sleeping pills can make you feel dizzy, confused or faint. Combining alcohol with certain sleeping pills can lead to dangerously slowed breathing or unresponsiveness. And alcohol can actually cause insomnia.
- Take sleeping pills strictly as prescribed by your doctor. Some prescription sleeping pills are for short-term use only. Be sure to contact your doctor for advice. Also, don’t take a higher dose than prescribed. If the initial dose doesn’t produce the intended effect on sleep, don’t take more pills without first talking to your doctor.
- Quit carefully. When you’re ready to stop taking sleeping pills, follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions or the directions on the label. Some medications must be stopped gradually. Also, be aware that you may have some short-term rebound insomnia for a few days after you stop taking sleeping pills.
If you continue to have trouble sleep, ask your doctor for extra serve .
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