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What are Different Types of Sleeping Pills?

Lori Smith
Lori Smith

There are various types of sleeping pills available to treat insomnia, from over-the-counter options to powerful prescription-strength medications. Depending on the cause of the sleeplessness, the type of drug most appropriate for treatment may vary. Sedative hypnotics and benzodiazepines are among the most common insomnia medications prescribed by physicians, whereas diphenhydramine can generally be purchased without a doctor's order. Most sleeping pills are recommended for short-term use because there is often a risk of addiction associated with them.

Prescription sleep aids may be recommended for a number of reasons, including insomnia caused by anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, may be prescribed when sleep disturbances occur due to extreme stress, nervousness, and anxiety. This medicine is frequently offered to individuals following a traumatic event. Benzodiazepines also act as muscle relaxers. Its calming effect can allow victims of stress to relax at night and get some much needed rest.

If you are already taking medicine for other conditions, it is important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter sleeping pills.
If you are already taking medicine for other conditions, it is important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter sleeping pills.

Sedative-hypnotics, like zolpidem and eszopiclone, can also be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. These fast-acting drugs usually induce extreme drowsiness within 30 minutes of administration. This allows the individual to fall asleep fast and, in most cases, feel refreshed the next day.

These drugs generally have an amnesiac quality, especially in the early stages of treatment. For example, some people who begin taking zolpidem discover that they sleepwalk after taking the medicine, or engage in conversations with others. The next day, however, these individuals do not usually recall the event or the discussion that may have taken place while they were under the influence of the medication.

Sleeping pills are used to treat insomnia.
Sleeping pills are used to treat insomnia.

Some people prefer non-prescription strength remedies for the temporary relief of their insomnia. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that makes most people very drowsy. For this reason, it is frequently used as an effective sleep aid. In fact, many over-the-counter products of this type contain the ingredient.

Some medications combine diphenhydramine with pain relievers, such as acetaminophen. This may be especially helpful for people who suffer from insomnia as a result of — or in addition to — muscle and joint pain. Certain medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, cause pain along with chronic fatigue. If pain is one of the reasons a person has trouble sleeping, over-the-counter sleeping pills that also contain a pain reliever may help him or her enjoy a comfortable, full night's rest.

Diphenhydramine is a common non-prescription sleep aid.
Diphenhydramine is a common non-prescription sleep aid.

Most sleeping pills cause side effects to varying degrees. Among the most common are dizziness and grogginess that may occur the following morning. There is also the possibility of developing serious reactions as a result of taking sleeping pills, but incidences are rare when the medication is taken at recommended doses. Hallucinations, delusions, severe depression, loss of motor control, and even respiratory failure are possible, but unlikely.

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    • If you are already taking medicine for other conditions, it is important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter sleeping pills.
      By: Dmitry Lobanov
      If you are already taking medicine for other conditions, it is important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter sleeping pills.
    • Sleeping pills are used to treat insomnia.
      By: bramgino
      Sleeping pills are used to treat insomnia.
    • Diphenhydramine is a common non-prescription sleep aid.
      By: Monkey Business
      Diphenhydramine is a common non-prescription sleep aid.
    • Fast acting sleeping pills can cause extreme drowsiness within 30 minutes of intake.
      By: blanche
      Fast acting sleeping pills can cause extreme drowsiness within 30 minutes of intake.
    • Some types of sleeping pills can have an adverse reaction on sexual function.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Some types of sleeping pills can have an adverse reaction on sexual function.
    • Grogginess is a possible side effect of taking sleeping pills.
      By: vladimirfloyd
      Grogginess is a possible side effect of taking sleeping pills.
    • Sleeping pills may be offered to a person who has just experienced a traumatic event.
      By: Rafael Ben-Ari
      Sleeping pills may be offered to a person who has just experienced a traumatic event.