Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic medications
These medicines are considered to be the newest class of sleeping pills. They work by quieting the nervous system, thus, providing sleepiness. None of these drugs is metabolized quickly, that is why the risk of side effects is somewhat reduced the next day. These medications are mostly elaborated for short – term or intermittent application. It should also be noted, that any of them is available by prescription only. These drugs are the following:
Eszopiclone. This medication also has the name Lunesta. This drug is mostly used to help someone stay asleep. It may be used for somewhat longer period of time, comparing to other nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic medications. If a person, who takes this drug, consumes much of high – fat food, this may slow the process of absorption, in the result of which this medicine may possibly become less effective. In case if someone stops taking this drug abruptly, this may cause withdrawal symptoms. In addition, Eszopiclone should better not be applied by pregnant women, as well as by people, with a history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, lung disease as well as any condition, which influences metabolism. Unpleasant taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, depression, skin rash, swelling, pain in the chest area, reduced interest to sex may be referred to possible side effects of this medicine.
Zolpidem tartrate. This medicine has the second name – Ambien. It is mostly used to help people fall asleep. In case of overuse, people may experience feeling of anxiety. This drug is not considered to be safe for people with history of liver or kidney disease, respiratory organs disease, and depression. Dry mouth, dizziness, prolonged drowsiness, diarrhea may be referred to possible side effects of this medicine.
Zaleplon. This medicine has the second name – Sonata. It is usually used to help people fall asleep, as well as to stay asleep. This medicine is not recommended for people with severe liver impairment. It should not be applied by pregnant women as well as by people with a history of depression, liver or kidney disease and a disease of respiratory organs. Lightheadedness, dizziness, pain in the abdomen, headache and prolonged drowsiness may be considered as possible side effects of this drug.
Benzodiazepine hypnotic medications
Benzodiazepines are considered to be quite an old class of sleeping pills. Any these medicines may cause such unpleasant feeling as drowsiness and / or headache the next morning. In addition, they may become habit forming. It is also necessary to point out that all of these drugs are available by prescription only.
Estazolam. This medicine has the second name – Prosom. It is mainly applied with the aim to stay asleep. There is one advantage of this drug – it may interact with many other kinds of medicines. However, it should also be noted, that this drug is not recommended for pregnant women, and it may also not be safe for breast – feeding mothers as well as for elderly adults. Weakness, dizziness, prolonged drowsiness and different coordination problems may be considered as possible side effects of this medicine.
Temazapam. This medicine has the second name – Restoril. This drug is mostly applied by people, who want to stay asleep. The ability of interaction with alcohol as well as with many other kinds of medicines may be referred to the advantages of this drug. However, it should be pointed out, that this medicine is not recommended for pregnant women, and it may be dangerous for breast – feeding mothers, elderly people as well as for people with a history of lung disease or severe depression. Low blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, nausea, prolonged drowsiness, low blood pressure, blurred vision may be considered as possible side effects of this drug.
Triazolam. This medicine has the second name – Halcion. It is mainly used to help people fall asleep. The ability to interact with alcohol, grapefruit juice, and with many kinds of medicines may be referred to the advantages of this drug. However, Triazolam is not recommended to be taken by pregnant women, as well as it may be dangerous for breast –feeding mothers and for people with a history of drug abuse, depression or any disease of respiratory system. It should also be pointed out that this drug is to be stopped gradually. Dizziness, lightheadedness, euphoria, prolonged drowsiness may be considered as possible side effects of this medicine. In addition, there were cases of amnesia reported. Rarely enough, but still, it may result into liver failure.
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