Info about prescription medication and OTCs for insomnia
With today’s fast-paced lifestyles and overbooked days, insomnia strikes nearly everyone at some point. It’s normal to have some nights that aren’t as restful as others, but when it happens in a string of nights, you might want to try an over-the-counter sleep aid.
Here are 4 tips to using over-the-counter sleep aids safely:
- Allow enough time for a full night’s sleep: Set aside a full eight hours for sleep. You want the aid to help you fall asleep, but not make you groggy when you wake up.
- Be on the lookout for side effects: If you have a history of depression, sleep aids can temporarily make it worse. These medications reduce anxiety and relax your muscles, but they can also lead to abnormal thinking, hallucinations, or sleep-drunkenness. Headaches and nausea are also possible.
- Only take pills for a short time: Use sleep aids for no longer than two to four weeks. If insomnia persists, talk with your doctor as long term use of sleep aids can perpetuate chronic insomnia and potentially lead to memory impairment and incoordination.
- Don’t stop taking a sleep aid suddenly: Quitting abruptly can cause rebound insomnia – three to four days of more severe insomnia than usual. Patients can even experience rebound insomnia after only brief use. If you take a sleep aid nightly, gradually reduce the dose until you no longer need the medication.
However, if over-the-counter sleep aids aren’t cutting it, a prescription sleep aid may be warranted. Prescription sleeping pills, also known as sedative hypnotics, promote sleep through different brain mechanisms. Talk to your doctor to find out which medication is best for you.