Sleeping pills or sleeping aids are medicines that allow you to sleep if you have sleeping problems. People that have insomnia or other sleep conditions use sleeping pills to have a good night sleep. These pills relax your brain and cause drowsiness that lead you to fall asleep. Other than insomniac persons, people who are suffering from depression, a sad event in life, or struggling to sleep due to a hectic schedule may take sleeping pills to relax and sleep.
Types of Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills are divided into various classes depending on their potency and effects. However, some sleeping pills can cause addiction as compared to others.
Addictive Sleeping Pills
This type of sleeping pills is considered the strongest sleeping tablets as they can cause addiction in the users. Sleeping pills in this class include:
- Benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Librium, Valium, etc. are used as sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medicine. These are one of the strongest sleeping tablets as these can develop addiction if used long-term.
- Barbiturates are used as sleeping pills for short-term sleep treatments and overdose can be fatal. These are also used as anesthetics during anesthesia. These sleeping pills can also cause addiction to them if used for a longer period.
- Z drugs such as eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem, etc., are also considered addictive sleeping pills.
Non-Addictive Sleeping Pills
This type of sleeping pills is less strong than addictive ones but still, they can cause somewhat dependence if used for a longer time.
- Medicines like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata help you to fall asleep faster
- Rozerem affects a brain hormone called melatonin which induces sleep
- Silenor is a low dose antidepressant which is also used to induce sleep
Side Effects of Sleeping Pills
Any medication if used for a longer period of time may have some side effects. Same is the case with sleeping pills and if you take sleeping pills regularly, you can face some side effects.
Common Side Effects
The side effects of sleeping pills may be more prominent in people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, COPD, or any other health conditions. Some other side effects are:
- Burning sensation in body parts like hands, arms, legs, etc.
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Dryness in mouth and throat
- Headaches and heartburns
- Problems with attention and memory, and impairment on the next day
- Unusual dreams and nightmares
Parasomnia
Sleeping pills can also cause more harmful effects such as a sleeping condition called parasomnia. This condition includes sleep movements such as sleep walking, eating, talking, driving, or doing other activities during sleep. People with parasomnia can perform normal activities while in sleep and that means that they are unaware of what they are doing or where they are going. Because of this, this condition can be harmful as it can cause serious accidents.
Allergic Reactions
Sleeping pills can have allergic reactions to some people and you would not know about it before taking them. Your doctor cannot know beforehand if you will have an allergic reaction to sleeping pills. Therefore, if you experience any symptom of an allergic reaction, contact your doctor immediately. Some of the allergic reactions include:
- A problem with eyesight such as blurriness
- Facing difficulty in breathing or swallowing things
- Facing chest pain and pounding heartbeat
- Rash, itching and nausea
- Swelling around facial parts such as eyes, lips, tongue, throat, etc.
Dependence
Usually doctors prescribe sleeping medication for a short term. However, if you keep using it for a longer period, then you can depend on the medicine for sleep. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medicine and will not be able to sleep without them.
Safe Use of Sleeping Pills
Sleeping pills can have various side effects but you can use them safely too:
- Follow your doctor’s prescription
- Do not take longer than the recommended duration
- Do not use sleeping pills and alcohol combine
- Do not use others sleeping pills
Conclusion
Sleeping pills can have serious side effects if used for longer duration. That is why it is necessary to know the side effects and how to use them safely. Make sure to follow your doctor’s prescription to avoid the side effects.
