Will Prescription Sleeping Pills Help You Sleep?
If you regularly have issues falling or staying asleep, you need to make an appointment with your doctor. The treatment will depend on the cause of your sleeplessness. In some cases, a sleep disorder or an underlying cause can be found, which is a more effective approach than treating the symptoms of sleeplessness.
In the case of persistent insomnia, behavioral changes that are learned via cognitive behavioral therapy can be the best treatment option for persistent insomnia. Having a regular sleeping schedule, exercising regularly, and avoiding daytime naps and caffeine, can also help you sleep. But, there are times when prescription medications like sleeping pills can help you sleep. However, you need to understand that all prescription sleeping pills have risks. Therefore, make sure to discuss with your healthcare provider before trying any new treatment option for sleeplessness. As a Los Angeles pharmacy, we share the details of some of the common types of prescription sleeping pills that are used today.
Different Types Of Prescription Sleeping Pills
Prescription sleeping pills can help you fall asleep or stay asleep, or both. The benefits and risks of different sleeping pills can vary. To find out the right prescription medication that can help you sleep and stay asleep, your doctors can:
- Ask different questions to make a good idea of your sleep patterns.
- Order different tests to rule out any underlying health conditions that might be leading to sleeping problems.
- Discuss different options for taking prescription medications, including when to take them, how often, and in what form.
- Prescribe a sleeping pill for a small period to understand the benefits and side effects of the medication on you.
- Make you try a different sleeping pill if the first one does not work even after the full course.
- Help you understand if there is a generic version for the prescription sleeping pill, which is typically less expensive than branded versions.
Medical insurance providers can have restrictions on the type of prescription sleeping pills that are covered and many providers may need to try other approaches first.
You need to ask your doctor about the potential side effects of prescription sleeping pills. This is because depending on the type of prescription sleeping pills, you can experience side effects like gastrointestinal issues, lightheadedness, headache, drowsiness, daytime memory issues, severe allergic reactions, etc. Prescription sleeping pills and non-prescription pills and some antidepressants can be unsafe if you are pregnant, a senior adult, or breastfeeding. The use of sleeping pills can increase the chances of nighttime falls in seniors. Therefore, if you are a senior, your doctor can prescribe a lower dose of sleeping pills to reduce risks.