Sleep:Prescription Sleep Drugs

Holiday travel is never fun. But if you have sleep problems, jet lag can wreak havoc on your sleeping patterns. These tips will help you stay rested during the holidays.   View slideshow

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.   View slideshow

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

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

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.   View slideshow

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

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