 Health Care Services Hospitals & Facilities Health Information Find a Doctor Why Choose Baptist |
Sleeping Pills
|
Health Library Topics
|
|
|
|
What are sleeping pills? Sleeping pills are medicines or natural remedies that make it easier to fall asleep. You can buy some forms of this medicine without a prescription. Others are available only with a prescription. Nonprescription sleep medicines usually contain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or doxylamine. Antihistamines are used to treat allergies, and they can also make you sleepy. Natural remedies that may help treat sleep problems include valerian root, melatonin, and St. John's wort. They may help most when sleep problems are due to shift work or jet lag. The most common prescription sleep medicine is zolpidem (Ambien). Other prescription sleep medicines include lorazepam (Ativan), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and triazolam (Halcion). Can they be harmful? All sleeping pills have side effects. Side effects may include headaches, nightmares, and trouble concentrating. Antihistamines can make your nose, mouth, and eyes dry, so you need to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Some people are at greater risk of side effects if they take sleeping pills. This includes people with chronic liver or kidney disease, adults over the age of 65, and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Sleep medicine stays in the blood stream, and may cause a kind of "sleep hangover". You may be drowsy or dizzy the day after you take it. You should not take a sleep aid unless you will get 7 or 8 full hours of sleep after taking it. When you stop taking sleeping pills after using them for a short time you may feel nervous and cranky for a few days. With long-term use, you may have problems remembering things and in making good decisions. Your muscles may get weak, and you can become confused and disoriented. After the first couple of weeks, sleep medicine may not work as well. This is called developing a tolerance. If you have taken sleep aids for a long time and stop suddenly, you may become very sick. Symptoms of withdrawal may range from headaches and insomnia to seizures or hallucinations. This is because many sleeping pills are habit-forming. You may become addicted. Sleeping pills increase the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. This includes drugs such as cold and allergy medicines, sedatives, tranquilizers, and muscle relaxants. Check with your pharmacist or health care provider before you drink alcohol or take other medicines while taking sleep aids. How do I take them safely? Check with your health care provider or pharmacist before taking any kind of sleep aid. Nonprescription pills and natural remedies can cause as many problems as prescription medicines. Generally, sleep aids should be used no longer than 1 to 2 weeks. Trouble sleeping (insomnia) that lasts longer than 2 weeks may be a sign of a medical problem. Medical problems such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or arthritis can cause insomnia. Stress, depression, or being overweight can also keep you from sleeping. If insomnia is caused by these kinds of problems, it will continue until the cause is corrected. Don't take more than directed or take sleep aids longer than 2 weeks. If the dosage no longer works, stop taking the medicine and talk with your health care provider. In the long term, there are better ways to deal with stress and trouble sleeping. Some of these are exercise, biofeedback, relaxation techniques, and counseling.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File MED4271F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
 Top of Page |
Baptist Online Read the latest articles about a variety of health subjects, with many practical tips to help you take control of your health.  More
|
| Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist |
| ©2010 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices. | |
 |
In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care. |