One study found that people over age 65 who took benzodiazepines had a 32 percent increased risk of developing dementia. Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The study's authors say that the increased risk of death is likely due to 'multiple causal pathways.'Īnother concern is that some of the most popular sleeping pills on the market today contain benzodiazepines. There are also some serious long-term health concerns associated with taking sleeping pills.įor example, a 2012 study published in BMJ Open found that people who took prescription sleep aids were four times more likely to die than those who did not take the drugs.

In a study published by the Journal of Hospital Medicine, sleep researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that hospital patients who took zolpidem (Ambien) were four times more likely to fall than those who did not take the drug during their hospital stay.Īnd, the Food and Drug Administration issued an alert about the same drug after new data revealed that 'blood levels in some patients may be high enough the morning after use to impair activities that require alertness, including driving.' Longterm Health Concerns Because these medications can cause drowsiness and impaired judgment, they can also make it hard to function during the day. The risks of taking sleeping pills don't just stop at night. People have even reported driving while asleep under the influence of sleeping pills like Ambien. You might experience more vivid dreams or nightmares, or even parasomnia issues like sleepwalking and sleep paralysis. New Sleep ConcernsĪnother long-term risk of taking sleeping pills is that you may develop new sleep concerns.įor example, you may find that your sleep is less restful than it was before you started taking medication. If you suddenly stop taking them, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, tremors, sweating, and nausea. Your body gets used to them and needs higher and higher doses to get the same effect. One of the biggest risks is that these pills can be habit-forming. If you take sleeping pills for more than a few weeks, you may start to experience some major risks. However, melatonin risks look similar to those of other sleeping pills. Many people take melatonin believing that it’s safe because it’s natural. If you have an emergency, it may be very difficult to wake up and respond appropriately. This is especially true if you're on benzodiazepines, which can cause a deep sleep from which it's hard to rouse yourself. Or, you may have trouble waking up when you need to. This can make it hard to concentrate and make it more likely that you'll have accidents. One of the most common side effects is grogginess or feeling drowsy during the day. In fact, for some, these sleeping pill side effects are so severe they can interfere with their day-to-day lives. Downsides of BothĪll of these different types of sleeping pills have some side effects. Melatonin levels typically rise when your body is preparing for sleep. Melatonin pills work by supplementing your body's natural melatonin production. OTC medications induce drowsiness through antihistamines, drugs that inhibit histamine receptors. They target specific GABA receptors that are associated with sleep and cause fewer side effects than benzodiazepines. These drugs are sometimes called 'Z-drugs' because they all contain the letter Z in their name. Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics like zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata) are all examples of selective GABA medications. Barbiturates work similarly, though they are no longer prescribed as commonly as they once were.

Some common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan). There are two main types of prescription sleeping pills, and they both increase the amount of GABA (a calming neurotransmitter) in your brain.īenzodiazepines act on GABA receptors to promote sleepiness and relaxation. Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending messages between nerve cells. Prescription sleeping pills work by affecting the neurotransmitters in your brain. How Sleeping Pills Work Prescription sleeping pills If you're considering sleeping pills, it's important to understand the risks you'll be exposing yourself to. Prescription sleeping pills are stronger and more potent than OTC options. OTC (over-the-counter) sleeping pills usually contain antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness.

Melatonin is a hormone that helps to regulate sleep and wake cycles. Sleeping pills fall into multiple different categories. While these pills can be effective in the short term, they can also have serious risks and side effects. Millions of people around the world rely on sleeping pills to get a good night's sleep.

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