Ongoing researches conducted on the consequences of using sleeping pills failed to confirm any positive results. In reality, the single most important conclusion derived from the entire analysis is that people suffering from insomnia are more contented without the use of sleeping pills in comparison to those, who regularly use them. A particular research that studied more than 2,000,000 people, discovered that continual intake of sleeping medication are as lethal as smoking cigarette.

Various types of sleeping pills

The chief component of sleeping pills that are available over-the-counter is antihistamines, which are usually used to cure allergies. Nevertheless, histamine, present inside the brain, which acts as a chemical messenger encourages sleeplessness among individuals, as a result antihistamine is normally used since it promotes a feeling of sleepiness. Certain over-the-counter sleeping medications also comprise of pain relieving components.   Frequently used over-the-counter sleeping pills comprise of-

Diphenhydramine, commonly present in medicines like Sominex, Nytol, Compoz and Sleepinal and Doxylamine generally found in medicines like Nighttime Sleep Aid and Unisom.

Other varieties of prescription sleeping pills are Eszopiclone (Lunesta), Ramelteon (Rozerem), Triazolam (Halcion), Zaleplon (Sonata), Zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar), Estazolam, Temazepam (Restoril) and Zolpidem (Ambien CR)

Over-the-counter sleeping medications side effects

The most widespread side effects of over-the-counter sleeping pills are a feeling of drowsiness, when you wake up from your sleep the next morning, a clumsiness feeling, absentmindedness and giddiness, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation and a sense of dryness inside the throat and mouth.

Side effects of sleeping medications

The majority of the people believe that a sleeping pill is capable of overcoming insomnia very quickly.  Sadly, sleeping pills, in reality don’t heal insomnia; in fact they worsen the problem even more when used for an extended period of time. The most widespread side effects of sleeping tablets are-

• Medicine tolerance. In the long run individuals tend to accustomed to a normal dose of sleeping aids, hence they keep on increasing the dose, which in turn can cause severe side effects.
• Over dependence on sleeping medications. Some individuals get addicted to these pills and as a result of which later in their life they find it very difficult to sleep in absence of these medications.
• Withdrawal signs. If a person discontinues the drug suddenly, he or she may face with withdrawal signs, for instance, sweating, shaking and nausea.
• Side effects. The common side effects are feeling of lethargy the following day, perplexity, absentmindedness and dried up throat and mouth. At times these effects can prove to be highly dangerous.
• Medicine interactions. At times, if a person is already using additional drugs, sleeping pills might interact severely with these drugs. This can aggravate the side effects as well as can prove to be hazardous with prescription medicines like painkillers and tranquilizers. Moreover pregnant women, lactating mothers, people suffering from respiratory or kidney problems should avoid these medications.
• Bounce back insomnia. Sometimes when the sleeping medications are discontinued insomnia is often seen to bounce back.

Sleeping pills can prove to be effective under certain circumstances

Sleeping drugs when used properly can prove to be highly effective. Normally, sleeping pills are highly effectual when taken cautiously for temporary situations. Occasionally, sleeping pills are prescribed temporarily at the starting stage of insomnia, in particularly, if the state of sleeplessness has been serious.  It is always better to consult a physician, prior to taking any kind of sleeping medications, particularly in case of continual use.?