5 Possible Adverse Effects of Taking Sleeping Pills

Although sleeping pills are helpful for people who may have sleeping problems, it comes with various adverse effects to those who take them. A sleeping pill overdose is one of the most common side effects, on top of many others. It is essential to know the possible adverse effects of taking this kind of medication as well as the things that you can do to avoid these situations.

What is the Composition and Action of Sleeping Pills?

Majority of sleeping pills are classified as sedative hypnotics, and these are used to promote and sustain sleep. Some of the most common sedatives are barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

Barbiturates act by suppressing the central nervous system, thus causing sedation. This kind of sedative is classified into short and long acting medications, but its use should be closely monitored because of the possibility of an overdose.

Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, are used for short term treatment only because of the possibility of addiction.

Negative Side Effects of Taking Sleeping Pills

1. Risk of Experiencing Heartburn

People suffering from heartburn are discouraged to take any kind of sleeping pills. When individuals with heartburn sleep soundly at night, they fail to wake up whenever they experience acid reflux.

This will result in the damage of the esophagus, which could have been prevented if the person is able to wake up on their own when they feel any discomfort.When this occurs often, it could increase the possibility of developing esophageal cancer.

2. Addiction or Dependence

Sleeping pill addiction is a common concern for people who are prescribed this type of medication. However, newer sleeping pills are less likely to cause addiction or over dosage. Majority of these medications are created to produce minimal sleeping pill side effects. But even with all these modifications, a sleeping pill addiction is still a possibility, especially with benzodiazepines.

3. Developing Automatic Behaviours

One of the various sleeping pill side effects is the development of automatic behaviors such as sleep driving, walking, or eating. These are rare occurrences, but there are already a few reported cases of people sleepwalking, driving, or eating as they sleep. This side effect is alarming and should be resolved as soon as possible.

4. Rebound Insomnia

When the instructions regarding how to take and when to stop the medication are not followed properly, rebound insomnia may occur. When this happens, you may experience symptoms which are worse than what you previously experienced when not taking the medication. Don’t decide on your own when to stop taking sleeping pills to avoid rebound insomnia.

5. Memory loss

This side effect is common in the elderly who have been taking sleeping pills for more than 3 months. Older patients who experience this problem are prone to developing Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusion

So, if you have been having difficulty sleeping, taking medication should not be your primary option. If you want to avoid a sleeping pill overdose, addiction, or other side effects, you can try natural remedies like taking supplements such as Amazon Thunder - Organic Supplements to help promote better sleep.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any diseases.