Sleeping pills

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. In the short term, insomnia can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, trouble with attention and concentration, and drowsy driving. Over time, it can “Insomnia has many consequences,” says sleep medicine expert For people who have a hard time snoozing, medications for insomnia — aka, sleeping pills — might seem like a dream come true. But anyone taking sleeping pills needs to be aware of some potentially serious risks. What are sleeping pills? Common prescription sleeping pills include: • Non-Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists: • Eszopiclone (Lunesta®). • Zaleplon (Sonata®). • Zolpidem (Ambien®, Ambien CR®, Edluar®, Intermezzo® and ZolpiMist ®). • Orexin Receptor Antagonists: • Suvorexant (Belsomra®). • Lemborexant (Dayvigo®). Side effects of sleeping pills Sleeping pills have a sedative effect. “It’s not like these pills work only when you’re sleeping,” notes Dr. Drerup. “You may feel drowsy and groggy, or have slowed thinking, after you wake up. This is when you want to be alert, obviously.” For people who need to drive a car in the morning, being drowsy while behind the wheel can be dangerous. But feeling groggy isn’t the only potentially serious side effect. “People have also reported abnormal behaviors after taking sleep aids,” Dr. Drerup says. “They’ve done things without awareness, like sleep-eating. Th...

Sleeping pills treat insomnia by making you feel drowsy and relaxed. Sleep aids, including natural ones like melatonin, can cause side effects. You may feel confused or sleepy during the day. Some people walk or eat in their sleep (parasomnia). Other nondrug therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are better at improving sleep. What are sleeping pills? As the name suggests, sleeping pills help you catch some sleep. People who have What are other names for sleeping pills? Sleeping pills go by many names: • Hypnotics. • • Sleep aids. • Sleep medicine. • Tranquilizers. How do sleeping pills work? There are various types of sleeping pills. Each works differently. Some sleep aids cause drowsiness, while others silence the area of the brain that keeps you alert. How effective are sleeping pills? Studies show that sleeping pills aren’t that helpful in promoting a good night’s rest. Most people who take sleep aids fall asleep about eight to 20 minutes faster than those without medicine. On average, you might get an additional 35 minutes of shuteye. Generally, sleep aids should be for short-term use. They may be most helpful if a stressful life event, such as a divorce or death in the family, is keeping you awake. Who might need sleeping pills? An estimated one in seven Americans have long-term insomnia. Sleep difficulties become more common as you age. Approximately one in three older people take some type of sleep medicine. What are the types of over-the-counter (OTC) s...

Prescription sleeping pills: What's right for you? • • • • • If you regularly have trouble either falling or staying asleep — a condition called insomnia — make an appointment with your health care provider. Treatment depends on what's causing your insomnia. Sometimes, an underlying cause, such as a medical condition or a sleep-related disorder, can be found and treated — a much more effective approach than just treating the symptom of insomnia itself. Behavior changes learned through cognitive behavioral therapy are generally the best treatment for ongoing insomnia. Sleeping on a regular schedule, exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine later in the day, avoiding daytime naps and keeping stress in check also 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, especially for people with certain medical conditions, including liver or kidney disease, and for older adults. Always talk with your health care provider before trying a new treatment for insomnia. Here's information on some of the most common types of prescription 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 various prescription sleeping pills can differ. To find the right prescription medicine to help you sleep, your health care provider generally should: • As...

Temazepam Generic name: temazepam [ te-MAZ-e-pam] Brand name: Dosage form: oral capsule (15 mg; 22.5 mg; 30 mg; 7.5 mg) Drug class: Medically reviewed by • • • • • • What is temazepam? Temazepam is used short term to treat Temazepam works by slowing down the central nervous system (brain), causing drowsiness which helps patients fall asleep. Warnings Temazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing. Never take this medicine if you do not have at least 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again. Do not use temazepam if you are pregnant. It can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine. Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking temazepam and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder. Temazepam may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medicine should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Temazepam may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking this medicine and get emergency ...

Time-crunched by work, play, and family, Americans are getting less sleep than ever. TV commercials promise a good night's rest that's as close as the medicine cabinet, and millions take over-the-counter and prescription aids to help them Taken properly, sleeping pills give enormous benefit to people suffering from an inability to get restful sleep. At the same time, the rise in the use of sleep How do these medicines work on the How Sleep Aids Work All sleep medications work on the The guide that follows includes most commonly used sleeping pills. Remember, talk to your doctor before you use a sleep aid. Sleeping Pills for Mild Insomnia • • • Diphenhydramine helps those with mild, infrequent Diphenhydramine can also cause unwanted sleepiness in the morning, according to Susan Esther, MD, member of the board of directors of the National Sleep Foundation. Other side effects of diphenhydramine include: • Difficulty urinating • Confusion or delirium These occur most in people over 65, who should avoid taking diphenhydramine. Younger people shouldn't take diphenhydramine for more than two weeks, because tolerance can develop. Common Prescription Sleep Aids Selective Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) medications are among the newest sleep medicines and include: • • Ambien CR (zolpidem tartrate extended release) • • These sleeping pills work on the GABA receptors in the The selective GABA medications target only a certain type of GABA receptor, one believed to be more dedicated to ...

In some cases, doctors will prescribe drugs such as sleeping pills for the treatment of Types of Drugs Used to Treat Sleep Disorders Listed below are some of the types of drugs used to treat • Anti-Parkinsonian drugs ( • • Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, such as • receptor stimulator, • Anticonvulsants, such as • Antinarcoleptics, such as • •

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