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Physical Effects of Sleeping Pills

Lack of sleep can adversely affect your personal and professional life in many ways. If you have tried relaxation methods and home remedies to no avail, you may consider taking a sleeping pill. There are many types of sleeping pills. Each type of pill has a different effect on the body. If you take a sleeping pill, be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist about food and drug interactions.

  1. Rozerem

    • Rozerem is a sleep medication that can help you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep. According to the prescribing information found on the Rozerem website, Rozerem is a hypnotic, or sedative, that causes the melatonin receptors in your brain to work better, and thereby induce sleep. A single eight milligram dosage will help you fall asleep. This medication enters the blood stream quickly. You should fall asleep within one half hour after taking the medication. Rozerem should be taken for a short period of time until your normal sleeping pattern returns.The prescribing information also states that patients have reported sleep walking and even sleep driving while taking Rozerem.Some people report feeling groggy the morning after they take Rozerem.This medication is appealing because it is not addictive.

    Ambien

    • Ambien belongs to a class of hypnotic drugs called imidazopyridines. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Ambien works by interfering with a neurotransmitter in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. When GABA and Ambien combine, the electrical activity in your brain is greatly reduced. This allows you to fall asleep. You should fall asleep within 15 minutes after taking Ambien. Ambien CR, an extended release form of Ambien, is a two-layer pill. The outer layer consist of traditional Ambien and helps you fall asleep fast. The inner layer dissolves slowly and helps you stay asleep. Ambien is also non-addictive, but can cause you to feel groggy in the morning.

    Halcion

    • Halcion is a tranquilizer that belongs to the benzodiazepine family. Halcion is short acting and you will fall asleep quickly. The FDA reports that Halcion, and all other benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium, work by stimulating the GABA receptors in your brain. Unlike Ambien and Rozerem, Halcion is addictive. Halcion should not be taken for more than four weeks. Your body will develop a tolerance to the drug, and you may need to increase your dosage. It is possible to experience withdrawals when you stop taking Halcion even after using the medication for a short time. Ask your doctor to help you taper off of Halcion if you wish to discontinue the medication.

    Antihistamines

    • Many people take over the counter medications to promote sleep. Always discuss these medications with your pharmacist or doctor before purchasing them. Doxylamine and diphenhydramine are the active ingredients in many OTC medications such as Unisom and Tylenol PM. These medications are antihistamines. These particular antihistamines do not stop at blocking histamine receptors in the brain. Drowsiness is a side effect of these medications because it blocks your brain from using acetylcholine, a chemical that promotes wakefulness.

    Herbal Help

    • Valerian root, available in pill form, helps to relax the central nervous system. Valerian is rumored to help you fall asleep. Melatonin is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. Taking melatonin pills can help restore normal sleeping times. However, the effectiveness of these substances have not been evaluated by the FDA and their safety has not been established.

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