Sleep medications and their side effects

In a 2002 poll, 15% of Americans surveyed reported that they used a sleep medication. If you are considering using sleep medications, it is important to work closely with your doctor, to understand your options, to be aware of potential side effects, and to know what questions to ask.

Prescription sleep medications

Prescription sleep medications fall into one of several classes, listed below. In determining which sleep medicines may be right for you, your doctor will take into account such factors as your medical history, your insomnia symptoms, other medications you are taking and the way the medicine works in the body.

Non-Benzodiazepines. This is the newest class of sleep medications. The currently available products have a short half-life, which means they are eliminated from the body quickly. Because of this, they are not likely to cause daytime sleepiness. They are also "selective," which means they target specific receptors that are thought to be associated with sleep.

Benzodiazepines. This class of sleep medications includes both long-acting medicines (which can linger in the body and potentially cause daytime drowsiness) and short-acting medicines (which do not stay in the bloodstream as long). Many benzodiazepines were originally formulated to treat anxiety.

Barbiturates. These sedatives are rarely prescribed anymore for insomnia, due to the risk of addiction, abuse and overdose.

Antidepressants. At times, doctors will prescribe antidepressants to promote sleep, although none of these medicines are specifically approved as sleep medications.

Nonprescription sleep medications
Nonprescription sleep medications usually contain antihistamines, which may induce drowsiness that lasts into the next day. (Many cold and allergy medicines contain antihistamines, which is why they can make you feel sleepy.) It is important to check the ingredients label of any over-the-counter (OTC) treatment - including those sleep aids designated as "nighttime" or "P.M." formulas - to see if it contains antihistamines. A common OTC antihistamine is diphenhydramine hydrochloride.

Side effects of sleep medications
In general, the most common side effects of sleep medications include dizziness, lightheadedness, daytime drowsiness, diarrhea, and difficulty with coordination. With some prescription medicines, however, the risk of these side effects is very small. Here are some ways to ensure your treatment is as safe and successful as possible:

Sleep medications are often used for the short-term treatment of insomnia and, on occasion, for more chronic insomnia. Sleep medications that currently are available by prescription are known to improve sleep by reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, increasing sleep duration and/or reducing the number of awakenings during sleep.

While modern hypnotics are considered safe, individuals should be aware that, like all medications, side effects may occur in a minority of patients. These side effects can include sleep walking, sleep eating and difficulty with memory.