Many people take sleeping pills to get much-needed rest.
Sleeping pills may be sedatives or hypnotics, and they come in
many forms. People can choose natural, prescription, or over-the-counter pills.
Here are some of the most effective options:
- melatonin
- sedating antihistamines
- valerian root
- hypnotics
In this article, we will describe the types of sleeping pills
and look at their uses and safety profiles.
Which sleeping pill is right for me?
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Many people may not need sleeping pills.
By practicing good sleep hygiene, exercising, and avoiding
alcohol and nicotine, an individual can often improve their sleep cycle and
prevent
Insomnia involves having trouble falling or staying asleep.
People with insomnia may wake up too early or not feel refreshed upon waking.
If lifestyle adjustments do not work, for example when insomnia
is severe, a sleeping pill may be a good short-term solution.
Avoid the long-term use of sleeping pills, because it can make
insomnia worse, especially if a person stops taking the pills.
The range of sleeping pills includes supplements and
over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs. Anyone with ongoing insomnia
should consult their doctor about the best approach.
The following are some of the most effective sleeping pills.
When it gets dark outside, the brain produces a hormone called
melatonin. This regulates the sleep-wake cycle by telling the body that it is
almost time for bed.
The brain makes less melatonin when it is light out and more
when it is dark, such as during the winter. Age also plays a role — the older a
person gets, the less melatonin they produce.
Many sleeping aids contain melatonin. They tend to be most
effective for people with circadian rhythm sleep disorders, which are problems
with the timing of sleeping or waking up.
Melatonin can be especially helpful for people:
- experiencing
- having trouble falling asleep at night
- coping with shift work
In recent years, manufacturers have marketed snacks and drinks
that contain melatonin as “relaxation” products. Doctors do not know, however,
if they are effective.
Melatonin supplements are available without a prescription from
drug stores, supermarkets.The pills tend to come in doses of 1–5 milligrams
(mg), and a person should take them at bedtime.
Limited evidence suggests that melatonin can treat insomnia.
However, though some findings have been mixed, most research indicates that it
can reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, including published
in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews.
Sedating antihistamines
Sedating antihistamines can help people who have trouble falling
or staying asleep.
Some OTC antihistamines, which people usually use to treat
allergies, can cause drowsiness.
Though not all antihistamines have this effect, people first-generation
antihistamines, or sedating antihistamines, to promote sleep or relieve tension.
The following are sedating antihistamines:
Second-generation antihistamines are less likely to cause
drowsiness. People use them to treat long-term allergy symptoms, and they are
not effective as sleeping aids.
The following are nonsedating antihistamines:
- cetirizine, the active ingredient in Zyrtec
- loratadine, the active ingredient in Claritin
- fexofenadine, the active ingredient in Allegra
A doctor may recommend a sedating antihistamine, but only as a
short-term solution. Though they are not addictive, the body gets used to them
quickly, so they become less effective over time.
Valerian root
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Valerian is a plant. People have used the medicinal properties
in the root since the times of ancient Greece and Rome.
Valerian root is a common ingredient in herbal supplements that
people use to improve sleep, relieve anxiety, and support relaxation.
The supplements come in many forms, such as teas, liquids, and
capsules.
Several clinical studies show that taking valerian impressions of sleep quality in people with insomnia.
However, is available to confirm whether valerian root is an effective
sleep aid.
Valerian root-based sleep aids are available in drug stores,
health food stores.
Hypnotics
Hypnotics are a group of sleeping medications only available by
prescription.
A doctor may prescribe hypnotics to treat a number of sleep
disorders, including insomnia. These medicines can also treat movement
disorders that interrupt sleep, such as (RLS) and periodic limb movement
disorder.
The most common hypnotic sleeping pills are:
- zolpidem
- zaleplon
- eszopiclone
- ramelteon
Doctors tend only to prescribe hypnotics for insomnia that is
long-lasting and bothersome because the drugs can have side effects.
Another class of sedative-hypnotics, called benzodiazepines, can
also treat insomnia. These medications include:
- alprazolam
- diazepam
- lorazepam
Before prescribing a benzodiazepine, the doctor will usually
first recommend a hypnotic. This is due to concerns about benzodiazepine
dependence and its more severe side effects.
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Sedating medications, including antihistamines and hypnotics,
can leave people feeling tired, drowsy, or groggy during the following day.
In older adults, using these pills can cause memory problems.
Some sleeping aids, when a person takes them to relieve
insomnia, can make it more difficult to fall asleep without them.
No evidence suggests that using melatonin comes with serious
risks. Researchers have yet to explore the long-term effects.
Do not take any sleeping aid before driving or operating
machinery.
For many people, the risks of using prescription hypnotics
outweigh the benefits. These medications are only suitable for short-term use.
Most are habit-forming, meaning that they can be addictive, and they can also
cause side effects.
Some side effects of prescription sleeping pills include:
- drowsiness or dizziness during the day
- confusion
- problems with memory
- balance problems
In rare cases, they can cause people to perform actions,
including driving, walking, eating, or making phone calls, while asleep.
Sleeping pills may also interfere with:
The safety profile of valerian root is still unclear. Possible
side effects may include dizziness, itchiness, and stomach problems. Some people
feel groggy or drowsy in the morning after taking valerian root.
Also, people who have taken valerian root for extended periods
then stopped suddenly may experience withdrawal symptoms. People who stop
taking benzodiazepines after long periods may experience similar symptoms.
Because the medical community is still unsure of the effects,
women who are pregnant and children under 3 years of age should not use
valerian.
