Insomnia Medications (Names and Side Effects): Insomnia is a common problem for many people. Insomnia can be primary or secondary. Secondary causes of insomnia include medications, diseases, environmental factors, and pregnancy. Non-drug, home remedies, and OTC and prescription drugs that treat insomnia include:
- Sleeping pills
- Melatonin
- Sleep hygiene education
- Biofeedback
- Relaxation therapy
Common side effects of sleeping pills include:
- Impaired coordination, balance, or mental alertness
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
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Disorders That Disrupt Sleep (Parasomnias)
Parasomnias are sleep problems that significantly disrupt the lives of those who suffer them. Parasomnias include speech and movements during sleep, sleep walking, night terrors, sleep paralysis , and abnomalities in the natural stages of sleep, among other problems. These problems are diagnosed through polysomnography (sleep testing), and can be treated with a combination of medications, sleep hygiene depending on the particular disorder. -
Insomnia
Insomnia affects most people at some point in their lifetime. Insomnia is actually a symptom of a condition, disease, or situation. Non-medical treatment of insomnia includes: sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, stimulus control, and sleep restriction. There are many medications that can be prescribed to a person with insomnia. -
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia is sleeplessness that cannot be attributed to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause (such as drug abuse or medications). Symptoms of primary insomnia include: Difficulty falling asleep Frequently awakening during the night Atypical reactions to sleep medications Tense Treatment may include lifestyle changes, therapy, medication, or a combination of these. -
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorders caus disruption in the REM stage of sleep. In such disorders, the REM is deficient or absent, along with the normal paralysis that goes with it. This allows the sufferer to act out his dreams, often causing injury. REM sleep disorder can be a side effect of medication or a symptom of a serious neurological disease. Clonazepam and tricyclic antidepressants have proved effective in treating REM sleep disorders. -
Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Children
Sleep and sleep disorders may be affected by a variety of factors. Learn about the different types of sleep disorders as well as symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. -
Sleep: Understanding the Basics
Sleep is defined as a state of unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused. In this state, the brain is relatively more responsive to internal stimuli than external stimuli. Sleep deprivation has many deleterious effects on the body. Sleep apnea and sleep paralysis are two common kinds of sleep disorders. Several activities can help one to fall asleep fast. -
Sleep Disorders and Aging
Sleep problems are common among people as they age. People tend to sleep less in later years, but other sleep issues can be caused by a variety of medical symptoms and drug side effects. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue and reduce the quality of life for senior citizens. Medications and sleep hygeine, or a combination of the two, can help. -
Sleep Disorders in Women
Sleep disorders affect both men and women, but suffer these problems at double the rate of men. Psychosocial stress, hormonal changes, illness, and lifestyle factors can all affect sleep in women. Medications may be used to help women get to sleep, but losing weight, avoiding caffeine, getting plenty of exercise and overall good sleep hygiene can help in many cases. -
Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder
A person's circadian rhythm is an internal biological clock that regulates a variety of biological processes according to an approximate 24-hour period. A disorder of the circadian rhythm may cause sleeplessness on at transient or chronic basis. The disorder can be caused by air travel across time zones, shift work, irregular sleep-wake cycle, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and advanced sleep-phase syndrome.
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Insomnia Medications (Names and Side Effects) Topic Guide - Visuals
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Insomnia Medications (Names and Side Effects) Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
RamelteonRamelteon is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It works by affecting certain substances in your body that help regulate your "sleep-wake cycle."
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EszopicloneEszopiclone is a sedative that is used to treat insomnia. This medicine causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep...learn more »
ZaleplonZaleplon is a sedative that is used to treat insomnia. This medicine causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep...learn more »
ZolpidemZolpidem is used to treat insomnia. The immediate-release forms of zolpidem are Ambien, Intermezzo, Edluar, and Zolpimist, which...learn more »
TriazolamTriazolam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) similar to Valium. Triazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced and cause sleep pr...learn more »
TemazepamTemazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). Temazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with sleep problems (inso...learn more »
