Sleeping drugs, a category of medications utilized to address insomnia, encompass benzodiazepines, antihistamines (commonly available without a prescription), antidepressants, and chloral hydrate. These substances induce sleep by diminishing the activity of nerve cells within the brain.
Sleeping medications should be consumed at the lowest efficient dosage and for the briefest duration possible. Typically, they should be employed for a maximum of three weeks, preferably avoiding nightly use. It’s important to note that these drugs do not address the root cause of insomnia, which should be subject to further investigation.
Sleeping medications can lead to feelings of drowsiness, instability, and reduced focus upon waking. These effects can be particularly risky for individuals engaged in driving or machinery operation. Prolonged usage might result in tolerance (requiring a higher dose for the same outcome) and dependence (experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation of the drug).