If you don't get enough sleep, you will not only have problems performing your normal day-to-day tasks, you can also do some serious damage to your health. If insomnia persists, you can try several different medications. All sleep medications carry some side effects, and you should only take these medications under the direction of a doctor.
Trazodone
Trazodone is normally prescribed as an antidepressant because it is thought to increase the production of serotonin in the brain. This drug also works as a sedative and has been prescribed to help people who are affected by insomnia. It works best if you have it with food and has had several side effects reported with its use such as dizziness, fainting, fever, chills, chest pain, nausea and urination problems. Some patients may have their insomnia increase as a result of using trazodone; should that happen, speak to your doctor immediately.
Ambien
Ambien is an insomnia drug that is hypnotic. This drug helps balance the chemicals that cause sleep. When these chemicals become unbalanced, insomnia can occur. This drug should only be used as a short-term treatment for insomnia and mainly works to relax you and help you fall asleep. Some people who take Ambien may find they have a severe allergic reaction to the drug, which can include hives and difficulty breathing. Some people on this medicine have reported being engaged in actions such as driving, eating and talking on the phone and then having no memory of done the action. Ambien can cause side effects of drowsiness, dizziness, depression, hallucinations and anxiety.
Sonata
This dung works much in the same way as Ambien, and your doctor may prescribe this if you have a negative reaction to Ambien. This drug has also been known to cause people to forget having performed actions such as driving and eating. When you start taking this drug, you should refrain from operating heavy machinery, as the drug may leave you feeling drowsy after you wake up and throughout the day. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug after taking it for a few days. Side effects of this drug can include aggression, agitation, hallucinations, thoughts of hurting yourself, dizziness, a hangover feeling, anxiety, numbness, dry mouth, back and joint pain and a skin rash.
