What Dangers Are Associated With Sleeping Pills?

The number of people who are chronically stressed is on the rise, and this is manifesting itself in the form of health complaints such as insomnia. Consequently, more people than ever are being prescribed sleep medication. In the short term, sleep medication is highly beneficial. It allows the taker to feel more rested and consequently more able to face life. However, there are also serious risks which you should be aware of if you have been given a prescription.

The most significant risk is that the body becomes dependent on the medication, although modern sleeping pills carry a much lower risk of addiction. There is also the issue of the medication masking the symptoms and not the cause of the disorder. Taking a pill may help in the short term, but in the long term the person needs to tackle the root of their insomnia. There are also side effects to consider, when taking medication.

One of the most commonly prescribed sleep medications is Ambien. This is considered to be a relatively safe drug, but some people do react badly to it. In particular, people should be aware that it can cause sensitivity to light and hallucinations. If you notice either of these symptoms, you should cease taking it immediately and consult your doctor.

Other frequently prescribed medications include Lunesta and Sonata.These are formulated to be non-addictive, but that does not mean there is no risk at all of becoming dependent. If used too frequently during a 2 to 4 week period, people can start to become resistant to the drug. This means that the user may choose to increase their dose to get the same effect from the medication. If this leads to an addiction then the patient will find it very difficult to give up the drug, and will suffer from terrible withdrawal symptoms.

Sleep medication can be very beneficial. However, it should be taken under strict medical supervision to avoid side effects.