Sleep:Prescription Sleep Drugs
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What You Need to Know
Video: Perspectives on Prescription Sleep Drugs
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Prescribing Sleep MedsDrugs work well combined with therapy
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Kicking the HabitLearning to get to sleep naturally
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Short-Term Use OnlySleeping pills can hide another problem
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Antidepressants for Insomnia"I sleep better and feel better"
( 1:49 )
Tired of Ambien? Meet the Sleep Medications of the Near Future
New drugs on the horizon for insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and more
If you've ever taken medicine to help you sleep, you're probably in one of two camps: Either it worked well and provided much needed relief—or it was a waste of money, caused a slew of side effects, and left you wondering what better options were out there. While no new prescription sleep drugs hit the market in 2008, research in several fields is under way. Here, some potential treatments that could soon help you rest easier—and suggestions for what to do in the meantime. Read More
SLIDESHOW
Sleeping Pills and Holiday Habits: What You Need to Know
You take sleeping pills—maybe all the time, maybe just occasionally—to get a good night’s rest, but you may be wondering how the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can affect your schedule and sleep habits. Here, eight factors that could play a role in your nighttime routine and how to adapt. Read More
Financial Stress and Insomnia: Should You Try a Sleeping Pill?
What to do if the economy is keeping you awake
Anyone who’s ever spent a few nights tossing and turning probably knows the basic sleep rules: Relax before bed and try not to think about what's bothering you. But with the unstable economy, you also know that’s easier said than done. Americans are more stressed about finances today than they were just six months ago, and many are losing sleep over it. So is it possible to push that emotion aside at bedtime? Or is now the time to get help from a doctor or a sleeping pill? Read More
SLIDESHOW
Potential Side Effects of Prescription Sleep Drugs
What you should and shouldn't worry about
If you’ve ever considered sleeping pills, you may have worried about how you’d feel the next day, whether you’d get hooked, and what other effects the medication might have on you. Prescription medication is safe and effective, but side effects can occur. Here are a few of the most common problems you may experience while taking a sleep medication, and what you can do to avoid them ... Read More
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Expert Advice for Women on Sleeping Pill Safety, Side Effects, and More
Q: Should I try over-the-counter drugs before a prescription pill?
A: Many sleep experts aren’t fans of OTC sleep aids because the meds don’t usually help people with significant insomnia. And many—like Nytol, Simply Sleep, Sominex, and Unisom—contain antihistamines (similar to the allergy medicine Benadryl) that can have side effects like dry mouth and eyes and next-day grogginess, says Donna Arand, PhD, clinical director of the Kettering Sleep Disorders Center in Kettering, Ohio. OTC sleep aids are best for people who have occasional sleep problems. Note: Women who breast-feed should avoid them, as should the elderly, who sometimes are more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Read More
A: Many sleep experts aren’t fans of OTC sleep aids because the meds don’t usually help people with significant insomnia. And many—like Nytol, Simply Sleep, Sominex, and Unisom—contain antihistamines (similar to the allergy medicine Benadryl) that can have side effects like dry mouth and eyes and next-day grogginess, says Donna Arand, PhD, clinical director of the Kettering Sleep Disorders Center in Kettering, Ohio. OTC sleep aids are best for people who have occasional sleep problems. Note: Women who breast-feed should avoid them, as should the elderly, who sometimes are more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Read More
Ambien Sleep Walking Turned Me Into a Midnight Binge Eater
Rebecca chose strange nighttime behaviors over chronic insomnia
Of all the strange nocturnal behaviors that have been reported with the use of prescription sleep drugs—acting out, talking, and even driving while asleep—the most prevalent by far is sleep eating. Though the side effect is rare overall, most sleep doctors have heard a few stories of refrigerators being raided, ovens left on through the night... Read More
Understanding Dependence and Addiction: Should You Worry About Sleep Medication?
Getting hooked on sleep meds is rare, but there are still things you should know
If your sleep problem has become serious enough that you've decided to see a doctor, a prescription sleeping pill is likely one option he or she will suggest. Medication can be a great help in getting you over a temporary sleep issue and back on track with your regular schedule, but you may still have some reservations about taking it... Read More
ONLINE RESOURCES
The Best Websites About Prescription Sleep Drugs
- Site: Drug Digest
- Who it's for: Those who are taking or considering prescription drugs
- Why we like it: It's a comprehensive and unbiased source that compares barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and newer sleep medications in terms of effectiveness, addictiveness, side effects, and more.
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5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prescription Drugs
- Why are you suggesting this particular prescription?Why you should ask this question: Different types of sleep medications are associated with different side effects, risks, and monetary costs. Benzodiazepines and antidepressants are generally less expensive, but may not be as effective for some people as newer nonbenzodiazepines. Even within the same class of drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata, for example), medications have different half-lives, making some more appropriate for people who have trouble falling asleep or who wake up too early.
