What Are the Side Effects of Sleeping Pills?

Published: May 24, 2021
Updated: Sep 20, 2024
What Are the Side Effects of Sleeping Pills?
In this article
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    6 min

    Did you have sleeping trouble before? Some people will take sleeping pills to relieve short-term stress or jet lag that is interfering with their sleep at night, but they might experience certain side effects of sleeping pills as well.

    It is essential to understand how they work and what side effects you might experience. However, any content in this article should be seen as advice, it is better to consult a doctor if you do suffer from serious sleep problems.

    Key Takeaways
    Sleeping pills are sedatives that are meant to induce and maintain sleep.
    Common side effects of sleeping pills include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, stomach pain.
    Some may be dependent on it if used in the long term.
    It can also cause parasomnias or allergic reactions.
    Consider natural ways to fall asleep such as meditation, exercise or improving sleeping environment.

    What Are Sleeping Pills?

    What Are the Side Effects of Sleeping Pills?

    Usually, sleeping pills are classified as sedative-hypnotics, which are specific to induce and maintain sleep. Sedative hypnotics include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and various hypnotics.

    The risks and benefits of different sleeping pills can be various, and most of them are potentially addictive and not recommended for long-term treatment of sleeping problems.

    Sometimes the rebound insomnia will occur when you stop taking prescription sleeping aids, it can also happen as you gradually reduce the dosage. 

    Side Effects

    Different prescriptions may perceive different side effects, and the most common side effects of sleeping pills are:

    • Dizziness, which may lead to headache
    • Prolonged drowsiness 
    • Serious allergic reaction
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Stomach pain
    • Memory or performance problems
    • Appetite change
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    Most people will experience at least one of the above side effects during the day. Moreover, some other side effects may cause immediate concern:

    Dependence

    Some people may increase their risk of developing a tolerance with long-term use, and when this happens, they will increase their dosage which can cause more problematic side effects. Sleeping pills addiction can cause other problems such as impaired motor coordination or inability to focus things. 

    Parasomnias

    The most common parasomnias with sleeping aids are sleepwalking, sleep talking, and sleep-driving. These unusual behaviors can be more common with increased dosage, and you should take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

    Allergic reaction

    You may probably have one of these allergic reactions such as blurred vision, difficulty breathing, itching, and vomiting, once had the above syndrome, stop taking the medication and see a doctor immediately.

    What Are the Side Effects of Sleeping Pills?

    Tips For A Natural Way To Fall Asleep

    Taking sleep medication is a careful decision that might always be taken into consideration. You’d better consult your doctor immediately if it is getting serious. There are numerous ways for you to improve your sleep quality with natural ways, and here are certain tips as following:

    Tips For A Natural Way To Fall Asleep
    • Practice yoga and meditation
    • Improve the sleeping environment
    • Exercise during the day
    • Getaway all electronics before bed
    • Adjust your sleep position
    • Get on a schedule

    Having good sleep is important to maintain a healthy life and try the above ways to improve your sleep. Lots of side effects of sleeping pills are undesirable, and it is better to consult a doctor if you do feel serious about your sleeping problems.

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    About authors
    Jessica Brown, a 29-year-old freelance copywriter passionate about human nature and deeply committed to promoting sleep and mental health awareness. Jessica holds a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor's in Biology from the University of Cambridge.
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