What Sleep Medication Should I Take?

Many various factors can contribute to someone not being able to sleep well at night. Besides making changes to your lifestyle and sleeping habits, some may turn to sleeping pills and medication as a temporary solution. But, the question is— how do you know which is the right sleep medication for you to take?

In this article, we’ll explore the different types of sleep medications available, the benefits and risks along with some alternative solutions if you’re looking to avoid the use of sleep aids.

What is Sleep Medication?

Sleep medication, in broad terms, is a type of medication that helps individuals to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. It is often recognized to be synonymous with sleeping pills.

Classifying Sleeping Pills

Sleeping pills are medications used to help people with sleep disorders such as insomnia or those with trouble sleeping to be able to sleep soundly at night.

They can be classified into two main categories— prescription sleeping pills and non-prescription sleeping pills. From here, it is further broken down into different sub-categories based on their chemical structure and mechanism of action [1].

Types of Prescription Sleeping Pills

Under prescription sleeping pills, there are many different types of medications that can be classified as sedative-hypnotics. These are medicines that work by increasing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that sends signals to the brain [2].

Benzodiazepines are the most common type of sedative-hypnotics that produce sedation, muscle relaxation and reduce anxiety which helps you fall asleep faster. They are generally recommended as a short-term treatment option for insomnia. Some approved benzodiazepines include estazolam, flurazepam, temazepam, triazolam [3], [4].

Other common prescription sleeping pills include zopiclone and zolpidem, where the effect may be similar to benzodiazepines.

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Types of Non-Prescription Sleeping Pills

There are also non-prescription sleeping pills or over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids that are widely available to those looking for short-term relief but without having to deal with serious side effects. Standard non-prescription medicines rely on antihistamines as a primary ingredient to promote drowsiness.

Common sleeping aids that you’ll find over the counter include [3]:

• Diphenhydramine
• Doxylamine
• Melatonin
• Valerian

Benefits and Risks

The main benefits of taking these sleep medicines are that they can either help you fall asleep stay asleep, or both. However, it’s also important to note that most of them can lead to dependency when used in the long run.

In addition, depending on the type of medication that you are using, there may be some side effects including [5]:

• Dizziness or headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Prolonged drowsiness
• Allergic reaction (e.g. dry mouth)
• Issues in daytime memory or performance
• Muscle weakness

Safety Considerations

When considering taking sleep aids, it’s important to prioritize your safety to avoid any risks or complications. Some key factors you want to keep in mind would be:

1. Consulting with a doctor: Before starting any new medications, it’s important to speak to your doctor so that they can recommend the best option for you.
2. Following prescription labels: Take any medications exactly as prescribed on the label. You want to avoid experiencing adverse effects or over-dependency.
3. Avoid combining with other medicines: Do not combine it with alcohol or any other medications that you are taking as it may heighten side effects and put you at risk of adverse effects.
4. Avoid prolonged use: Sleep aids are typically intended to be used only for the short term. Prolonged use can lead to dependency or rebound insomnia if you stop taking them abruptly.

Older adults and pregnant individuals should be especially cautious when it comes to taking any sleep supplements as there are increased risk and higher sensitivities.

What is the safest long-term sleep medication?

Newer hypnotics like zolpidem and zaleplon may be used on a long-term basis with minimal side effects to induce sleep. They are benzodiazepines-like agents with fewer side effects in comparison.

Dr. Wei Cui

Internal Medicine Physician and Applied Psychologist

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Alternative Solutions to Sleeping Pills or Sleep Medicine

For those who don’t wish to use sleeping pills or any form of medication due to the potential side effects, you may consider the use of solutions such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or cultivating good sleep habits.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a treatment method that targets sleep difficulties and behaviors that contribute to this sleep disorder over a few sessions [6]. It is also commonly used as a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults [7].

Alternatively, you can also practice good sleep habits such as following a consistent sleep schedule, limiting daytime naps, managing stress or creating a relaxing bedtime routine, to name a few. Good sleep habits can contribute to lowered stress levels and result in improved sleep quality.

Conclusion

In short, sleeping pills can be useful in managing insomnia symptoms such as trouble falling asleep. However, it is important to note that they are only temporary solutions. Identifying the underlying cause and creating good sleep habits can help to promote better sleep in the long term.

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