{"id":4026,"date":"2023-08-01T12:09:43","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T12:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=4026"},"modified":"2025-02-07T12:31:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T12:31:36","slug":"sleeping-pills","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/sleeping-pills\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleeping Pills: Uses, Side Effects & Addiction Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Despite their popularity, OTC and prescription sleeping pills are not a long-term solution for a good night\u2019s sleep. Many cause tolerance, and they are associated with a risk for developing physical and\/or psychological dependence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side Effects, Risks or Complications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All sleeping aids have been reported to cause at least some level of psychological dependency (including OTC drugs), and most prescription drugs (particularly BZDs and barbiturates) are linked to physical dependence\/addiction. Different classes of sleeping pills may have different side effects<\/a>, but all have been associated with symptoms like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complex Sleep Behaviors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most dangerous side effects of sleeping pills are complex sleep behaviors like sleepwalking. Even people with no history of sleepwalking may sleepwalk after taking sleeping pills. Reports of people dying while performing complex behaviors while they are asleep led the FDA to require several prescription sleeping medications to carry \u201cblack box warnings\u201d<\/a>, which alert users to potentially lethal risks associated with the drug. Examples of lethal complex sleep behaviors include automobile accidents (with the patient driving), drowning, apparent suicide and poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonfatal injuries associated with complex sleep behaviors include burns, gunshot wounds and attempted suicide. Even first-time and low-dose users can exhibit these behaviors, underscoring the importance of using caution when taking prescription sleeping pills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Physical Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping pills may affect the body in several ways. People who take these drugs may notice dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, heartburn, digestive problems like gas, constipation or diarrhea, appetite changes, tingling sensations in the hands or feet, balance problems and dizziness, muscle weakness, and shaking or tremors.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People should stop taking this medication and talk to their doctor if they are experiencing side effects from sleep aids. Sometimes, these symptoms can be a sign of a bigger issue, or they can lead to more serious complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to lower the risk of sleeping pill side effects is to make sure to take the medication exactly as prescribed. Taking higher doses can lead to more harmful effects. Additionally, people having trouble with side effects from one drug may have better luck if they switch to another. Different categories of sleeping pills affect different processes in the brain and trying a different medication may produce milder or more severe side effects. People don\u2019t know which sleeping pills are more likely to be effective or less likely to cause side effects until they try them, and some people may have to try a few different types before they find one that suits them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How do sleeping pills affect the brain? Those who take sleeping pills regularly may find that they experience memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and vivid dreams.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping pills can also cause parasomnias. These sleep disorders consisting of unusual behaviors, emotions and perceptions that occur while someone is falling asleep, sleeping or waking up. Examples include sleepwalking, nightmares, night terrors, teeth grinding and talking in one\u2019s sleep. People often don\u2019t know when they are experiencing parasomnias. However, if there is any indication that someone is experiencing this side effect, they should talk to their doctor. Parasomnias can sometimes take the form of more extreme and potentially dangerous behavior like eating, driving or having sex while asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping Pill Withdrawal Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Someone who has become physically dependent on sleeping pills may feel withdrawal symptoms<\/a> if they try to stop using them. Additionally, a person may find that the drugs become less effective over time as their body adapts to the presence of the medication. If a person becomes physically dependent on sleeping pills, they will probably experience some withdrawal symptoms once they stop using them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common side effects of sleeping pill withdrawal are insomnia and anxiety<\/a>. If a person has trouble sleeping once they stop using a sleep aid, they may think that it\u2019s impossible for them to sleep without the medication. However, this is usually a temporary withdrawal symptom that will eventually go away once sleeping pill use is halted. Other sleeping pill withdrawal side effects include<\/a> bizarre dreams, restlessness and shivering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side Effects of a Sleeping Pill Overdose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping pills overdose symptoms<\/a> are extreme tiredness, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, and clumsiness or loss of coordination.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who suspects a sleeping pill overdose<\/a> should seek emergency medical care right away. Overdosing on sleeping pills can be fatal. Side effects of a sleeping pill overdose may worsen and result in brain damage if left untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Topic: What is a lethal dose of valium?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Misuse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping pill misuse happens when someone takes their sleeping pill medication outside of its prescribed use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n