Antihistamines are frequently used to manage allergies, but because of their sedative effect, they are also marketed as sleeping pills.Īntihistamine sleep aids may be sold as one-ingredient products, or the antihistamine may be combined with active ingredients for other issues such as cough, fever, or congestion. Over-the-counter sleep aids are typically composed of antihistamines. These medications do not go through the same level of FDA review as prescription medications, but they still must meet certain regulatory standards before they can be sold. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be purchased without a prescription. Drugs such as antipsychotics and anticonvulsants are occasionally used off-label for sleep problems, but there is less data about their safety and effectiveness in treating these issues. Once a drug has been approved by the FDA for one use, doctors can prescribe it for other conditions, which is known as “off-label” use. Only one antidepressant is formally approved by the FDA for insomnia. Antidepressants: These drugs were first designed to treat depression but later found to have a sedative effect.Melatonin receptor agonists: This type of medication increases the level of the hormone melatonin in the body, which promotes sleepiness.These were among the first prescription drugs to be used for insomnia. Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are like Z drugs in that they decrease brain activity to induce sleepiness.Orexin receptor antagonists: These drugs block production of orexin, a chemical in the brain that makes you feel alert.Z Drugs: These medications slow down activity in the brain, which prompts a sedative effect.Once the drug is approved, a patient must get a prescription from their doctor in order to obtain the drug from a pharmacy.ĭifferent classes of drugs cause sleepiness based on their chemical composition and how they affect the brain. Prescription Drugsīefore a prescription drug can be sold, it must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which carefully reviews data from research studies about its effectiveness and safety. There are three types of sleep aids: prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements. Depending on how they work and how they are regulated, sleeping pills can be organized into several distinct types. The way that a sleep aid produces a sedative effect varies on its chemical composition. That sleepiness may happen rapidly to help someone fall asleep, or it can have a prolonged effect to make it easier for them to sleep through the night. Most sleep aids work because they have a sedative effect, which means that they make a person feel sleepy. This research also reflects a trend toward higher usage of over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pills as well as dietary supplements such as natural sleep aids. Use of prescription sleep medications has increased among older adults, including people without a formal diagnosis of insomnia. Studies have found consistently rising rates of sleep aid use, with one study showing that around 3% of adults had used a prescription sleep medication in the month prior.ĭata from the CDC shows that many adults take sleep aids frequently, with more than 8% of adults using a sleep aid at least four times in the previous week. Sleeping pills or other sleep aids are commonly used to treat insomnia and occasional sleeplessness. People with circadian rhythm related sleep problems such as jet lag and shift work sleep disorder may also benefit from taking sleep-inducing supplements.Įvery sleep aid has potential benefits and downsides, and it is important for individuals to be informed about their treatment options and talk with a doctor about the best option in their personal situation. Older adults with chronic health conditions may occasionally take sleep aids to help them get the rest they need. These include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements. To address insomnia and other sleep issues, many people turn to sleep aids. Insomnia is often tied to sleep deprivation, which can have serious consequences for physical and mental health. Up to two-thirds of adults experience symptoms of insomnia, which can include problems falling asleep and/or staying asleep as well as sleepiness, slowed thinking, or other impairments during the day. One of the most prevalent sleep disorders is insomnia. In addition to disrupting sleep at night, these issues can have lasting effects on day-to-day life.
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