If you have ever seen a list of unusual warning labels, you may have found sleeping pills on the list with a warning that they can make you drowsy. Well, that is of course the general idea. However, the warning is there to inform people of potential side effects of sleeping pills. It is also meant to keep people from attempting to drive, operate machinery, or perform other tasks that could prove dangerous if one is drowsy from taking sleeping pills.
Sleeping pills should only be taken when a person is ready to go to bed and can devote several consecutive hours to sleep. The number of hours depends upon the type of sleep medication and the potential side effects of the pills are usually explained on the package or insert, or explained by the medical professional who wrote the prescription or the pharmacist who fills it. It is important to follow all directions, including dosage instructions precisely when to help avoid serious side effects.
Some of the potential side effects of sleeping pills include dry mouth, dizziness, short-term memory loss, possible negative interactions with other drugs, constipation, and a type of sleep “hangover” that can leave people feeling disoriented the next day or cause loss of coordination. These side effects can occur with over-the-counter as well as prescription sleep medications.
Sleeping pills can also lead to drug dependency. These types of medications are only intended to be used as a short-term way to get more rest and are not meant for long-term use. They don’t cure insomnia, because it is most often the result of underlying issues, such as stress. A sleeping pill won’t get rid of stress or pressure that you are experiencing. Still, many people like the relaxed feeling they get from taking sleeping pills, similar to the feelings obtained from barbiturates, a class of drugs no longer used in sleep medications. The latter are no longer used due to their side effects, which include abuse and overdose.
Other serious potential side effects of sleeping pills include overdose. Because our bodies can build up a tolerance to these drugs, sometimes quickly, some may be tempted to take more than the recommended dosage in order to get some sleep. This can be very dangerous and even fatal. Overdose can be especially dangerous in those with decreased lung capacity due to disease or illness, such as sleep apnea or pneumonia.
If you suffer from insomnia, changing your environment or your routine can often help. If you feel you must take sleeping pills, please research the brand you intend to use, weigh the risks of side effects, take only as directed, and remember, sleep medications are only intended for short-term use.