Sedative sleeping pills are a category of medication which cause sleep or a partial loss of consciousness. They are generally divided into “benzodiazepines” and “non-benzodiazepines”. Within both categories there are medications that are short or longer-acting. These are serious prescription medications that should only be taken under the direction of your doctor – never take a sedative that was prescribed for someone else, as this can be very dangerous or even fatal. Although sedatives can temporarily help you sleep better at night, their effect lasts only as long as you take the medication. They should be taken with caution because of important side effects.

Temporary in Nature

If you’re struggling with sleep, taking a sedative might seem like an ideal solution because these strong medications can make you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep throughout the night. However, sedatives (even long-acting sedatives) only help you with sleep for as long as you take them. There’s a good chance that once you stop taking prescribed sedatives, your original sleep problem will still remain. This is because sedative medications only treat the symptoms of insomnia but not the underlying causes.

Potential for Dependency

Sedatives sometimes create dependencies among the individuals they’re intended to help. If you come to rely on a sedative to achieve a good night’s sleep, a physiological or psychological dependency or addiction may result. Discontinuation of sedatives for sleeping can precipitate worsening insomnia and create withdrawal-like effects. This may lead you returning to the medication believing that you can’t sleep without it. Such withdrawal effects are temporary, however.

Sedative “Hang-Overs”

Sedatives may only temporarily address your sleep challenges, but unfortunately their effects are not always temporary. Using some sedatives can make your body feel terrible the next day, with side effects including daytime drowsiness or a hung-over feeling. This can reduce your productivity and ability to make safe, efficient decisions.

Other Complications

Among some people the use of sedatives can cause complex sleep-related behaviors, such as driving, eating, or making phone calls while not fully awake. Some sedatives can cause breathing problems, especially among elderly patients. Benzodiazapines can suppress breathing and are associated with worsening sleep apnea. They can also create complications during pregnancy, such as cleft palate, for unborn fetuses. People sometimes feel anxious or depressed when taking sedatives.

Making the Right Choice

Taking sedatives to help with your sleep problems is a very personal decision that should be made only after a serious, thoughtful conversation with your doctor. Although the side effects might sound alarming, some people choose to take sedatives for temporary relief from insomnia or other sleep issues and do not suffer serious consequences. It’s best to weigh your options carefully with a trusted physician before deciding what is right for you..

References

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Hypnotics

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002376.htm