Reaching for the first sleep aid you find when insomnia hits? Not all sleeping pills are the same. Each class of sleep aid works a bit differently from the other, and side effects vary.
It's important to ask key questions before choosing your sleep medicine.
How long does it take for the sleeping pill to take effect?
How long do the effects last?
What's the risk of becoming dependent on the sleeping pill, physically or psychologically?
All sleep medicines have the potential for causing dependence. In the large majority of cases, however, this is psychological dependence, not physical.
Talk with your doctor, and read these words to help you decide which sleeping pill is right for you.
Drug
|
How It Works
|
Duration of Effects
|
Side Effects
|
Dependence Risk
|
Diphenhydramine
|
Acts on histamine receptors in the brain to
cause drowsiness.
|
4-6 hours (sleepiness may last longer)
|
Daytime sleepiness; confusion and difficulty
urinating in older people.
|
Low
|
Selective GABA
Medicines
·
Ambien (zolpidem tartrate)
·
Ambien CR (zolpidem tartrate extended release)
·
Lunesta (eszopiclone)
·
Sonata (zaleplon)
|
Binds to a specific type of GABA receptor in
the brain.
|
6-8 hours
|
Usually few. Memory disturbances,
hallucinations, behavior changes possible.
|
Medium (usually low)
|
Sleep-Wake cycle
Modifiers
·
Rozerem (ramelteon)
|
Stimulatesmelatoninreceptors in the brain area that
controls the sleep-wake cycle.
|
4-6 hours
|
Headache, drowsiness, dizziness. Uncommonly,
problems with sex drive. Loss of menses or problems getting pregnant.
|
Low
|
Benzodiazepines
·
Ativan (lorazepam)
·
Halcion (triazolam)
·
Restoril (temazepam)
·
Valium (diazepam)
·
Xanax (alprazolam)
|
Binds to general GABA receptors in the
brain.
|
Varies (from 4 hours to more than 12)
|
Sedation, loss of muscle coordination,
dizziness, habit-forming.
|
Higher
|
Tricyclic
Antidepressants
·
Adapin (doxepin)
·
Aventyl (nortriptyline)
·
Elavil (amitriptyline)
·
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
·
Sinequan (doxepin)
·
Trazodone(desyrel)
|
Binds to multiple brain receptors including
acetylcholine; sedating.
|
Not well studied
|
Low at usual doses for insomnia. Dizziness,
blurry vision, difficulty urinating, cardiac arrhythmias possible. Trazodone
can cause prolonged, painful erections.
|
Low
|
by. Araceli Bellic
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