Treating Your Sleep Problems with Prescription Medication

Because sleep disorders have a variety of causes and symptoms, medications to treat them are just as varied. In general, doctors tend to prescribe medication in conjunction with other forms of treatment, including:
  • herbal remedies
  • hypnosis
  • lifestyle changes
  • surgery
  • therapy.
Because medications can have a variety of side effects and/or complications when mixed with other medicines, choosing the right one to treat your sleep disorder can be tricky.

Choosing Sleep Medication

Taking prescription medication typically is one of the last phases of treatment after other options (such as lifestyle changes and therapy) have failed. Before you choose any prescription sleeping pills, educate yourself about different drugs on the market.

Learn about their possible side effects and how they may interact with your current medications. Be sure to discuss with your doctor ways to taper off the sleeping pills gradually. Along with noticing any differences in mood, follow these guidelines while using any sleep medication:
  • Don't drink alcohol.
  • Tell your doctor about other medications.
  • Tell your doctor about behavioral changes.
  • Use caution while driving or operating machinery.
  • Use only as directed.

Here are the pros and cons of some of the more common types of sleep medications:

  • Diphehydramines: As a common ingredient in antihistamines (such as Benadryl®), diphehydramine medications are over-the-counter treatment options that can be effective for short-term problems. However, because these medications tend to be highly addictive, they are generally not recommended to treat cases of chronic insomnia or other persistent sleep disorders.

  • Benzodiadepines: This prescription medication can cause drowsiness the day following its use, especially in its more potent, long-lasting forms. Like diphehydramines, benzodiadepines can be addictive and shouldn't be used to treat chronic sleep problems.

  • Non-benzodiazepines: These prescription medications are the most commonly prescribed and used sleep medicines on the market. While they can be addictive if used incorrectly, non-benzodiazepines are relatively non-habit forming relative to other sleep medication options.

    Some of the most common non-benzodiazepines prescribed to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders include: Ambien® (active ingredient zolpidem) , Lunesta® (active ingredient eszopiclone) and Sonata® (active ingredient zaleplon).
  • Melotonin receptors: This class of prescription drugs stimulates your body into producing melotonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles. While some people take over-the-counter herbal melotonin supplements, others have turned to the prescription drug Rozerem® (active ingredient ramelteon). Although this class of sleep medication isn't as effective as other options, it also has far less side effects and potential for addiction.
Other prescription medications, such as barbiturates and antidepressants, have also been used to treat insomnia. However, barbiturates are rarely used because of problems with addiction, abuse and overdose. Antidepressants can be effective in treating sleep disorders when the cause of sleeplessness is depression.

Sleep Medication for Children

Children can experience sleep problems just like adults.
Because children are growing, medication should be a last resort to treat sleep disorders. In general, doctors suggest behavioral treatments first. Some simple sleep time strategies, such as starting a bedtime routine or limiting activity before bed, are usually the most helpful treatments.

Side Effects of Sleeping Pills

Sleep medication, like other prescription medicines, comes with its own set of risks and side effects. Potential risks include:
  • bad reactions to immediately stopping the medication
  • car accidents
  • falls for those waking at night
  • increased sleepwalking
  • intense reactions to alcohol
  • persistent daytime drowsiness
  • problems operating machinery shortly after waking
  • sleep apnea.

Along with these possible risks, sleeping medications can have side effects based on the patient's age, dose levels prescribed and the half-life of the medication (In general, shorter half-lives are better, because the medication is metabolized more efficiently to avoid daytime side-effects). The possible side effects to sleep medication include:

  • daytime drowsiness
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • lack of concentration
  • lightheadedness
  • poor coordination.

Over-the-counter sleeping pills have additional side effects to worry about, including:

  • blurred vision
  • dependence
  • drug interactions
  • drug tolerance
  • dry mouth
  • forgetfulness
  • rebound insomnia
  • reduced effectiveness
  • urinary retention
  • withdrawals.

Medical professionals recommend using sleep medications for no longer than four weeks. Similarly, don't abruptly stop any sleep medication. Instead, slowly decrease your dosage to avoid suffering from side effects.

Resources

AboutOurKids.org. (2006). Guide to Psychiatric Medications for Children and Adolescents. Retrieved January 16, 2007, from the AboutOurKids Web site: http://www.aboutourkids.org/aboutour/articles/
guidetopsychmeds.html.
 
Helpguide. (2006). Sleeping Pills and Sleep Medications for Insomnia Treatment. Retrieved January 16, 2007, from the Helpguide Web site: http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication
_insomnia_treatment.htm.

National Sleep Foundation. (2007). Sleep Aids: All You Ever Wanted To Know But Were Too Tired To Ask. Retrieved January 16, 2007, from the National Sleep Foundation Web site: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeplibrary/index.php?
secid=&id=65.

Shuteye.com. (2002-2006). Sleep Medications. Retrieved January 16, 2007, from the Shuteye Web site: http://www.shuteye.com/solutions_consider.asp.