Nov 2, 2007 12:26 am US/Eastern
Doctor Gives Insight On Sleeping Pills
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
People count on a number of things to fall asleep and when non-drug methods aren't working, an occasional sleeping pill is an option.
Sleeping pills are by prescription or over-the-counter like Benadryl or Unisom.
But Dr. Sangeeta Chakrovorty, a sleep specialist at Children's Hospital, cautions against grabbing one of those easy-to-get sleep aids.
"They're not specifically designed for sleep, so they have adverse effects," she said.
Possible side effects include dry mouth and dizziness and these drugs can mask other sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
Among the prescription medicines, Dr. Chakrovorty has a favorite – Ambien.
"It has a relatively short duration of action, the duration of action gives you at least a night's sleep. It's pretty quick in its onset," she said. "I've had patients who have liked it a lot because they wake up feeling very refreshed."
There have been reports of bizarre behavior on this drug, but this is rare. Ambien is in a category of sleep drugs called non-Benzodiazepine hypnotics. Others include Sonata and Lunesta.
In other prescription categories are the Benzodiazepines and Barbituates, but you could get hooked.
"You have anxiety or you feel a desire to double up on your dosage, because it's not having the same effect," Dr. Chakrovorty said. "That's the time to go back to your doctor and say, 'I don't think this is working.'"
When you take medicines for sleep, you shouldn't drive or operate heavy machinery. "The biggest danger is taking too much for too long," she said. "Taking them at inappropriate times of night and being forced to function if you have a lingering effect."
If you take sleeping pills too often, you could get a rebound insomnia or in other words even more trouble sleeping when you quit taking the medication. When you stop taking sleeping pills, check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Some medications have to be stopped gradually.
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