Insomnia is a very real condition and can compromise your quality of life if it is not treated. In most cases, doctors prescribe sleeping pills that should be taken right before bedtime and not during other activities such as driving. The following are some common ones that your physician might prescribe depending on the type of sleeping ailment you have:
Zolpidem
Also known as Ambien this sleeping pill is intended for the sleep deprived who have trouble staying asleep at night even if they can fall asleep easily. It is available in an extended version as well-known as Ambien CR and it should be enough to keep you asleep for at least 7 to 8 hours. Zolpidem spray has also been approved by the FDA which is best as a short term treatment for insomnia and for this particular form of insomnia.
Lunesta
Also known as Eszopiclone, Lunesta is designed to help patients fall asleep as quickly as possible and stay asleep for at least 7 hours at a stretch. Taking this medication is not recommended if you are able to get this much sleep without aid since it can cause grogginess the next day. Since it is quite strong, the FDA recommends 1mg of the drug and no more in the beginning.
Rozerem
Also known as Ramelton, this is a sleeping pill in the UK that works slightly differently from others available in pharmacies. It works by targeting the sleep/wake cycle of the patient rather than soothing the nervous system which can cause grogginess in some people. Rozerem is often prescribed to those who suffer from chronic insomnia and it has no history of abuse or addiction as far as resources say.
Zaleplon
Also known as Sonata, this sleeping tablet remains active in the system for the shortest amount of time but that’s because it’s fast acting. You can try to fall asleep on your own and if that does not work and you are awake till 2 am for instance, you can take this pill and drift off easily. The drug is mild which means you won’t feel drowsy in the morning but this might not be the best choice for you if you wake up a couple of hours before your alarm goes off.
Doxepine
Also known as Silenor, this sleeping aid is ideal for those who have trouble staying asleep long enough to get up well rested in the morning. It does this by blocking histamine receptors in the body and the dosage is usually based on a person’s age, response and health. So if you are able to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep even if falling asleep is a challenge, then try other options. Otherwise, you might end up groggy in the morning which is never a good thing especially if you drive to work yourself.
Other categories
Besides these specific names, you may be prescribed others according to your sleeping ailment. These can fall into several categories such as:
Over-the-counter sleeping pills
Most of the sleeping aids that fall in this category are antihistamines which usually work quite well. However, most of them can cause grogginess in the morning which can last for a couple of hours after you wake up. The reason they are sold over-the-counter is because these are safe to consume without a prescription. On the other hand, they should not be taken if you are already on other antihistamines such as allergy drugs. Overdosing is a very real threat otherwise.
Sleep cycle modifiers
As the name implies, these sleeping tablets work by regulating the sleep cycle. The most common form of this medication is called Ramelteon and it affects the hypothalamus which allows it to control sleep cycles. This is the area of the brain that regulates sleep and the medication targets areas that focus on promoting sleepiness.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by affecting GABA receptors in the brain or gamma-aminobutyric acid which controls how relaxed or alert we are. Some of the common ones you might come across include Valium and Xanax.
Irrespective of the type of sleeping pills you are prescribed or order online, make sure you know the side effects that they can cause. These can depend on a number of different factors and can cause sleep walking, memory loss, drowsiness in the morning and confusion to name a few.