What
Are the Main Drugs for Insomnia?
If insomnia is transient or
short-term and sleep hygiene and non-medical treatments are not helpful,
a physician may advise low-dose sleep medication to prevent the vicious
cycle of psychophysiological insomnia. Over-the-counter medications
should be tried before taking prescription drugs. For chronic long-term
insomnia, however, drugs are rarely helpful. It should be emphasized
that only behavioral or psychologic techniques can actually cure
insomnia, whereas prolonged use of pills can only result in dependency.
Common
Non-Prescription Drugs
Standard Non-Prescription
Drugs. People buy more over-the-counter and prescription sleeping
medications than any other type of drug. These drugs can leave patients
drowsy the next day, and some experts believe they are not very
effective in providing restful sleep. They are non-addictive, however,
and a fatal overdose is nearly unheard of. Antihistamines are the active
ingredients in most of these medications that include diphenhydramine
alone (Nytol, Sleep-Eez, Sominex) or in combination with pain relievers
(Anacin P.M., Exedrin P.M., Tylenol P.M.), doxylamine (Unison), and
pyrilamine (Quiet World). Side effects include dizziness, drunken
movements, blurred vision, and dry mouth and throat. They should not be
used by people with angina, heart arrhythmias, glaucoma, prostate and
urinary problems, or while taking medications to prevent nausea or
motion sickness. When sleeplessness is caused by minor pain, simply
taking an acetaminophen (Tylenol) or an NSAID, such as (Advil, Motrin)
can be very helpful without causing any daytime sleepiness. Such a
simple remedy may even be helpful for those whose primary problem is a
"racing brain".
