Sleep is necessary for maintaining a healthy body. When you don’t get enough sleep, you might run into various issues, including weariness, irritability, and trouble concentrating and focusing. Insufficient sleep might put a person at risk of developing primary health conditions, including obesity and heart disease.
Try a sleep aid that a doctor can only prescribe if you have trouble falling or staying asleep. People who cannot easily fall or stay asleep may benefit from using sleep medicine that is available by prescription. It’s crucial to be aware of the risks and side effects before taking any sleep medication that a doctor has prescribed.
Two Primary Categories of Prescription Medication
Benzodiazepines are the prescription sleep drug that has been around the longest and is the most widely used. They accomplish this by affixing themselves to receptors in the brain that are associated with the induction of sleep. Benzodiazepines have the potential to assist patients in falling asleep and remaining asleep; however, they also have the probability of causing adverse effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, and poor coordination.
Non-benzodiazepines are relatively newer sleep medicine varieties available with a doctor’s prescription. They provide a function analogous to benzodiazepines but with fewer adverse effects. People who are seeking a sleep drug that is both safe and effective typically find that non-benzodiazepines are the best option for them.
Potential Dangers and Adverse Repercussions of Taking Prescription Sleep Medication
The potential hazards and adverse effects of prescription sleep aids differ from one drug formulation to another. The following is a list of some of the most prevalent dangers and adverse effects associated with the use of prescription sleep medication:
Drowsiness is a common side effect of sleep medications available by prescription, and it can make it challenging to operate normally during the day.
Dizziness is a common side effect of prescription sleep medicine, and it can make it difficult or impossible to drive or operate heavy machinery safely.
Medications prescribed for sleep disorders can cause coordination problems, making it challenging to carry out activities requiring hand-eye coordination.
Memory issues are a potential side effect of several prescribed sleep aids, including an impaired ability to recall recent activities and experiences.
Addiction: Prescription sleep medications may be addictive, and those who use them for an extended period of time risk developing a dependence on them.
Symptoms of withdrawal: If you suddenly stop using prescription sleep medicine, you may suffer withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, sleeplessness, and tremors. These symptoms can last for many days after you stop taking the medication.
When to Think About Taking Prescription Medication for Sleep
If you struggle to sleep or remain asleep, consider taking prescription sleep medicine with your primary care physician. Prescription sleep medicine should only be regarded as a temporary remedy to issues related to lack of sleep. Suppose you have had difficulty sleeping for more than two weeks. In that case, you should make an appointment with a medical professional to rule out the possibility that you have a more serious underlying medical issue.
Alternatives to the Sleep Medications Sold by Prescription
If you find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, try several different things instead of using sleep medicine that requires a prescription. These are the following:
Good sleep hygiene refers to a set of practices that, when followed, can increase the likelihood that an individual will have a restful night’s sleep. These routines include maintaining a consistent time for bed and getting up each day, developing a soothing bedtime ritual, and avoiding coffee and alcohol in the hours leading up to bedtime. The acronym CBT-I stands for cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia. CBT-I is a form of therapy that may assist you in changing how you think about sleep and developing healthier habits about rest.
Homeopathic treatments: Melatonin, valerian root, and chamomile tea are some of the many natural medicines that might assist you in getting a good night’s rest. If you consider taking sleep medicine that requires a prescription, you must discuss the potential drawbacks and dangers with your physician. You may give a variety of non-prescription sleep aids a shot in place of sleeping pills prescribed by your doctor, and they will be able to guide you toward the one that will help you get the most restful sleep.
