Insomnia is a disorder in which a person has trouble falling or staying asleep. Anxiety and stress are often associated with insomnia. If insomnia is ongoing, a physician may prescribe medications or suggest over-the-counter medications or herbs to help you get a good night's sleep.
OTC Medications
Over-the-counter medications for sleep contain antihistamines. Although, antihistamines are normally used for allergy relief, they also cause drowsiness by blocking histamines, a chemical that encourages wakefulness, according to Help-Guide.com. OTC medications may also contain a pain reliever to allow you to relax. Tolerance to OTC sleep aids occurs within a few days; therefore, the medication is for short-term use. Common side effects of OTC sleeping medications are dizziness, drowsiness the next day, feeling off balance, constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision and urinary retention. Side effects are more likely to occur in older adults. A physician should be consulted prior to starting any OTC sleep medication.
Prescription Medications
Prescription sleep aids are classified as sedative hypnotics. They work by acting on the brain's receptors to slow down the nervous system, which allows the body to maintain a healthy sleeping pattern. Some prescription sleeping medications induce sleep, while others encourage the body to stay asleep. Commonly prescribed sedative hypnotics are benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines and melatonin receptor agonist hypnotics.
The potential side effects from prescription sleep aids are muscle aches, headache, constipation, daytime sleepiness, dry mouth, trouble concentrating, unsteadiness, dizziness and rebound insomnia. In March 2007, the FDA released a label change requirement for all sedative-hypnotic medications. The label must include stronger language to highlight the potential risks and side effects when using this type of sleep aid. You should address all concerns about the medication with the prescribing physician and inform her immediately of any side effects or if you wish to stop taking the medication.
Herbal Medications
Several herbal remedies are believed to help with insomnia, such as chamomile, kava kava, valerian root, lemon balm, lavender, passionflower and St. John's wort, states Help-Guide.org. Each herb is administered in a different way, and all carry different possible side effects. Some herbs are generally harmless, but some have more serious side effects. Before beginning a herbal remedy, check with a health care professional to verify that herbs will not interact negatively with your current medication regimen.
References
- Help-Guide.org: Sleeping Pills, Sleep Aides and Medications
- "Core Concepts in Pharmacology"; Norman Holland and Michael Adams; 2003
- Food and Drug Administration: FDA Requests Label Change for All Sleep Disorder Drug Products
