Sleeping Pills And Sleeping Aids: Do They Really Help Treat Idiopathic Insomnia?

Medications are important in treating idiopathic insomnia and other sleeping disorders. You need a doctor’s prescription even if over-the-counter drugs are available. If you are having trouble sleeping, it is imperative to consult your doctor first before self –medicating. Let us take a look at sleeping pills and sleeping aids.

What another individual needs may not be good for you. Different medications target specific parts of the brain that controls the sleep wake pattern. They provide relief, promote sleep and overall health and sense of well being. However, there is also a side effect especially for sleeping pills as a cure for idiopathic insomnia.

Types of sleeping pills

Sleeping pills are commonly prescribed to patients with insomnia. Insomniacs are people who have trouble falling or staying asleep, wake up too early or not feeling rested after a night’s sleep. It is also given to people with hypersomnia or narcolepsy. There are different types of sleeping pills like:

1. Sleeping pills that help you fall asleep. If you have problems falling asleep, this prescription drug is right for you. It is usually taken less than two weeks at a time. This may not be recommended for older people since it increases the risk of nighttime falls and injury. Examples of these drugs are. Eszopiclone, Ramelteon, Triazolam, Zaleplon and Zolpidem. Common side effects are dizziness, facial swelling, headache and drowsiness.

2. Sleeping pills that help you stay asleep. To help you stay asleep, these medications are prescribed. Estazolam, Eszopiclone, Temazepam, and Zolpidem are examples. These are also taken in less than two weeks. It is not safe to take these pills if you are an elderly, pregnant and a nursing mother.

3. Sedating Antidepressants. These drugs are used mainly to treat depression but because of its sedative effect in lower doses it is also used to treat insomnia. These are not FDA approved for insomnia although it is widely used. Blurred vision, constipation, dizziness and headache are some side effects. If you are pregnant and breastfeeding you cannot take these drugs. Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline and Trazadone belong to this class.

Other sleep aids

If you are looking for sleeping aids, you may always do so. Melatonin a hormone naturally secreted by the pineal gland in the brain which regulates the sleep-wake cycle of a person is also prescribed. Herbs like Valerian root, chamomile, lavender lemon balm and passionflower also aid in sleep. Although it is generally safe to take these herbs, allergies caused by pollen are common. Some experts say that Valerian root only has a placebo effect on inducing sleep.

Guidelines on taking sleeping pills

Take only the required dose at a constant schedule. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without an advice from your doctor. Inform your doctor of other medications you are taking to avoid drug interactions. Follow the instructions on what to avoid, if it should be taken with or without food and be aware of the side effects. Ask your doctor for specific instructions or on terminating its use to avoid withdrawal symptoms and rebound insomnia. Do not take over the counter pills. This could result to more harm than good.

Now that you are aware of these, keep in mind that if one drug does not improve your sleep pattern it is always wise to report this to your doctor. You might need a different drug instead. You may also be allowed to use it in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy.

Tags: hypersomnia, idiopathic insomnia, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleeping aids, sleeping pills

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