Are Sleeping Pills Safe for Long-Term Use?

When taken by healthy adults, sleeping pills are generally safe for short-term use, provided they are used as directed. However, given the potential for side effects, it is always best to take them under the guidance of a health professional.

Sleeping pills

can interfere with normal breathing and can be dangerous in people who have certain chronic lung problems such as asthma, emphysema or forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These medications are intended for occasional use, but many people rely on them to relax at night.

Older adults are more vulnerable to side effects and injury from falls, so care must be taken to avoid problems with alertness and balance when taking sleep medications. To reduce the risk of developing tolerance or addiction, doctors may prescribe these long-term sleeping pills for only a few nights a week. Many people assume that over-the-counter sleeping pills are the safest because they are available without a prescription. However, these medications can cause dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, confusion and constipation.

If you're having trouble sleeping, your doctor can help you overcome stress, anxiety or other emotions that may be affecting your sleep. These are powerful medications that should be used in small doses and only for short-term treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders. Over-the-counter sleeping pills are marketed as a safe, effective and non-habit forming way to sleep when sleep seems hard to come by. If your best attempts at getting a good night's sleep have failed, prescription sleeping pills may be an option.

For people with insomnia who resist other forms of treatment, doctors may prescribe sleep medications to be taken regularly. Sleeping pills should be taken just before bedtime, as taking them too early can interfere with night-time activities. Prescription (and even some over-the-counter) sleeping pills, as well as certain antidepressants, may not be safe if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or an older adult. There is also a danger of becoming psychologically dependent on taking a pill to help you relax and fall asleep.

A medical examination may be recommended to help you find out the cause of your sleep problems, such as depression, anxiety or a sleep disorder. Belsomra is another unique sleep aid that affects a chemical in the brain called orexin and is not addictive.