Gone are the days where the pharmacist sold his sure-fire cure to sleep troubles. Today, there are dozens of sleep aids on the market. Some are prescription only, others can be found at any convenience store, and some have not even been approved by the FDA. Each type of sleep medicine has its advantages and disadvantages, and all should be considered only after discussing sleep health with a medical provider.
Prescription Sleep Medications
Prescription sleep medications are the most powerful sleep aids available. Known as hypnotics, they come in three main varieties: barbiturates, benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines, according to the Sleep Foundation. These drugs are prescribed for insomnia, which is the recurrent problem of not getting enough sleep or enough quality sleep as well as waking up feeling unrefreshed. The most popular sleep medicines are this last class, which include the generic drugs zaleplon, zolpidem and triazolam, according to the non-profit information website Sleepdex.org.
Like barbiturates and the classic benzodiazepines such as Valium, these popular sleep medicines are all habit forming and can have side effects. Some side effects include hallucinations, nightmares, headaches and nausea, according to Sleepdex. One particularly dangerous side-effect of prescription sleep aids is the increase of sleep-related behaviors such as driving, having sex or eating while in a sleep trance. Dr. Russell Katz, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Division of Neurology Products, says "Complex behaviors, such as sleep-driving, could be potentially dangerous to both the patients and to others."
Over-the-Counter Sleep Meds
Sleep medicine can also be found over-the-counter, or without a prescription. The FDA has approved the use of these non-prescription sleep aids for up to two weeks. If experiencing insomnia for longer than two weeks, see a medical provider. The most popular over-the-counter sleep aids are antihistamines, which do not have addictive potential, according to the FDA's website. Side effects may include mood changes, dry mouth, and nausea. A note of caution: when antihistamines are used regularly, the body builds up a tolerance to them, and in some cases, may promote insomnia over time, according to Sleepdex.
Natural Sleep Aids
Wary of side-effects and allergies, some people natural or herbal sleep aids. Some herbs, such as valerian root, may effectively induce sleep. However, just because it is natural does not mean it is safe. Kava kava, for example, can cause sever liver damage in some, according to the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Another promising natural sleep aid is melatonin, which is a hormone produced in the brain but available as a dietary supplement. Melatonin may not be effective against clinical insomnia, but the National Institutes of Health suggests that research confirms melatonin's effectiveness with jetlag and disorders such as delayed sleep phase disorder. For healthy sleepers who have occasional problems sleeping, melatonin is a safe and helpful sleep aid.
