Sleeping Medications for Insomnia

Understanding Insomnia: Causes and Symptoms

Insomnia is defined as persistent difficulties with falling asleep, staying asleep or general quality of sleep.

Insomnia can cause fatigue and tiredness, low mood and irritability and reduced cognitive function.

Fortunately, Insomnia is a highly treatable condition. Often insomnia can be treated with lifestyle adjustments alone however there are a range of sleep aids for insomnia if needed.

Insomnia is categorised by duration, short-term insomnia lasts 3 months or less however chronic insomnia occurs several days per week and lasts for 3 months or more.

There are a wide range of causes for insomnia. Onset of short-term insomnia is often associated with stressful moments in life such as illness, financial difficulties or death of a loved one.

Chronic Insomnia is often associated with other psychiatric and medical conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Issues with your sleep environment such as noise, a room that’s too hot or too cold or an uncomfortable bed can cause insomnia.

Other causes of insomnia can include jet lag, shift work or alcohol, caffeine or nicotine consumption.

If you’re persistently having difficulties falling asleep, lie awake at night, wake up several times during the night or are generally seeing a persistent decline in sleep quality, you should consult with a GP who can advise regarding insomnia.

Types of Sleeping Medications

There are several types of medications which can be used to help you sleep better.

Some herbal medications available from pharmacies can be highly effective such as Nytol Herbal tablets, which contain valerian root extract, other antihistamines can also be useful as sleeping aids.

Products such as Melatonin require a prescription in the United Kingdom (despite being available over the counter in many parts of Europe and the US.) Melatonin is most often prescribed to treat Jet Lag in the UK.

There are certain controlled medication prescribed for Insomnia. Z-Drugs such as Zopiclone or Zolpidem are cautiously prescribed short-term for Insomnia. However there are risks with this type of medication as it can be highly addictive.

Similarly Benzodiazepines may be prescribed as sleep medication for Insomnia associated with anxiety but again, these medications are used cautiously and in the short-term only due to their habit forming nature.

Choosing the Right Medication for Your Needs

Over the counter medication for sleeplessness is generally well tolerated, however patients should always consult the patient information leaflet and check for allergens before taking any medication.

Prescription items such as Melatonin, or Z-Drugs or Benzodiazepines will be prescribed by a doctor, at a doctor’s discretion.

Melatonin can be purchased safely and conveniently online at Meds for Less following a short-text based consultation.

Z-Drugs such as Zopiclone or Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam will be prescribed by a GP following an face-to-face consultation and diagnosis.

Z-drugs and Benzodiazepines are not used as first line treatments and often your doctor will suggest cognitive behavioural therapy and lifestyle changes before issuing a prescription.

Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids

There is a variety of medication for trouble sleeping.

Over-the-counter aids usually contain an antihistamine such as Promethazine or Diphenhydramine examples of over the counter sleeping aids include Night Nurse, Nytol Herbal or Nytol One-A-Night.

There is a range of prescription medication for sleep problems such as Melatonin, which is available at Meds for Less for Jet Lag.

There are other medications which may be prescribed for Insomnia such as Z-drugs like Zopiclone however these medications will be prescribed cautiously due to their habit-forming nature.

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