Understanding Prescription Sleeping Pills: What You Need to Know

Sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being, yet many of us struggle to get a good night’s rest. For some, the solution may lie in prescription sleeping pills. But what exactly are prescription sleeping pills, and how do they work? In this blog post, we will delve into the world of prescription sleeping pills, exploring their benefits, risks, and everything in between. Please visit EMRGENT for more info.

Prescription sleeping pills, also known as sedative-hypnotics, are medications that are prescribed by a doctor to help people with sleep disorders. These medications work by slowing down brain activity to induce sleep and promote relaxation. There are different types of prescription sleeping pills available on the market, each with its own mechanism of action. Some common examples include benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium, non-benzodiazepines like Ambien and Lunesta, and orexin receptor antagonists like Belsomra.

Before considering taking prescription sleeping pills, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if they are the right option for you. Your doctor will assess your sleep patterns, medical history, and any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your sleep issues. They will also discuss the potential benefits and risks of taking prescription sleeping pills, as well as alternative treatment options that may be more suitable for your needs.

While prescription sleeping pills can be effective in helping people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, they are not without risks. Common side effects of prescription sleeping pills include drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and gastrointestinal issues. In some cases, these medications can also lead to more serious side effects such as memory problems, dependence or addiction, rebound insomnia (worsening of insomnia when medication is stopped), and even parasomnias (sleep-related behaviors like sleepwalking or eating while asleep).

It is crucial to use prescription sleeping pills responsibly and under the guidance of a healthcare provider. This means following your doctor’s instructions carefully regarding dosage and timing of medication intake. It is also important to avoid alcohol or other substances that can interact negatively with prescription sleeping pills. Additionally, it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery while under the influence of these medications due to their potential for impairing cognitive function.

How long do prescription sleeping pills stay in your system, blood, urine, saliva, hair?

The time it takes for these medications to be flushed out from your system depends on the type of drug taken. Below is an average estimation of how long these drugs stay in your system.

• Blood test: 1 to 6 days
• Urine test: 5 to 7 days
• Saliva test: up to 3 days
• Hair test: up to 90 days

How does one get addicted to prescription sleeping pills?

These prescription drugs don’t have a high addictive potential compared to benzodiazepines and barbiturates. However, these medications such as Zolpidem and Eszopiclone when used constantly for a longer duration tend to build tolerance and no longer works. In the absence of medical advice, the patient tends to intake more in order to get the same initial result. Likewise, the addiction formed with these medications are more psychological than physical dependence, which is a result of habitual intake.

How does prescription sleeping pill use affect the brain and the body?

These medications have the general effect of depressing the brain to help solve sleeping problems. However, recent studies have shown that some of these drugs leave enough residues in the morning to cause impairment of motor skills. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered pharmaceutical companies and doctors to reduce their recommended dose for the patients. Likewise, these prescription drugs also induce erratic behaviors such as sleepwalking and amnesia. In contrast, OTC sleeping pills’ relaxing mechanism is a side effect of its antihistamine action where it happens in the histamine receptor site.

What are the short and long-term effects of prescription sleeping pills?

Aside from inducing sleepiness and relaxation, there are other short-term and long-term effects associated with the use of these drugs.

Short-term effects:

• State of lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Inflammation feeling in the arms, hand, feet and legs
• An abnormal change in appetite
• Dry mouth

Long-term effects:

• Uncontrollable body shaking
• Gradual memory loss
• Heartburn
• Sleep paralysis
• Sleepwalking
• Nightmares

In conclusion, prescription sleeping pills can be a helpful tool for managing sleep disorders when used appropriately under medical supervision.

Why are prescription sleeping pills dangerous?

Though less addictive compared to benzodiazepines and barbiturates, users of these drugs still develop tolerance quickly. A high constant dose of these medications can lead to depressed breathing while sleeping, which leads to death. As a result, most doctors recommend a medication period of 1 to 2 weeks only. Likewise, most brands of these drugs leave a sufficient amount of residues in the morning which affects the motor skills of the user. Impaired motor skills can lead to incidents like falling or car accidents if the person is driving.

Further, longer duration of taking these drugs can also lead to gradual memory loss and manifestations of parasomnia or abnormal behaviors while sleeping. Lastly, continued dependence and usage of these medications expose you to a higher risk of getting cancer.

What causes prescription sleeping pill overdose?

What are the signs of an overdose?

When someone is suffering from an overdose, the following signs and symptoms are mostly to occur:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Impaired reflexes
• Abdominal problems such as constipation and diarrhea
• Respiratory dysfunction

How do you treat prescription sleeping pill overdose?

When a patient experiences overdose, the following steps can be done:

• Check and monitor the patient’s vital signs
• You can do gastric lavage to remove some of the chemicals inside the stomach
• You can administer intravenous fluids
• Maintain sufficient airway for the patient
• In cases of low blood pressure, apply vasopressors
• Let the patient ingest activated charcoal to absorb some of the substances inside the body.
• Allow the patient to take flumazenil or romazicon to counteract the effect of the prescription drug.

Prescription sleeping pills should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional and as a short-term solution for insomnia. They are not intended for long-term use or as a substitute for healthy sleep habits. Before turning to medication, it is important to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to your sleep problems, such as stress, anxiety, or poor sleep hygiene. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is often recommended as a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia.