The drugs most often prescribed for insomnia are benzodiazepines and related drugs (such as Halcion and Ambien) and antidepressants such as trazodone (Desyrel, Sideril, and Trazonil).
While most drugs tranquilize the brain as a whole, the new drug ramelteon (Rozerem) works by targeting the part of the brain responsible for keeping you awake. This drug is considered to be more helpful for people who have trouble falling asleep than for those who wake up often at night or wake up too early in the morning.
Barbiturates (Nembutol, Seconal) often were prescribed for insomnia before benzodiazepines were introduced but they now are rarely prescribed because they are addictive and it is relatively easy to overdose on them.
Additionally to the drugs listed above, some doctors may prescribe other medications with sedating effects, such as some antipsychotics.
Benzodiazepines and related drugs
Medicines such as Halcion, Restoril, Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata are often used to treat insomnia.
Even though these medicines work in slightly different ways, they all work on the same set of receptors in the brain to induce sedation.
These drugs are obliging for short-term sleep problems caused by jet lag or acute stress. Often they are prescribed for people with chronic insomnia, too.
Most sleep medications are classified as controlled substances because of the potential for abuse, although this risk is thought to be lower with the newer medicines.
Different medications stay in the body for different amounts of time. Short-acting medications (such as Sonata) are used for people who have trouble falling asleep.
For those people who can't fall asleep quickly and wake up often, intermediate-acting medicines (such as Ambien) may be helpful. Those who wake up too early may be helped by a long-acting medicine (such as Lunesta), or they may take a short-acting medicine when they awake to help them go back to sleep.
People taking sedating medications should keep in mind that they cause side effects:
• Long-acting medicines may cause sleepiness the next day. It may be more noticeable among the elderly. Due to grogginess accidents and falls may injure the elderly.
• Caution should be used when operating motor vehicles or doing other tasks that require alertness.
• Insomnia may develop again if medicines are stopped quickly. Consult with your doctor before you stop taking a medicine.
• Tolerance to the medicine may develop with long-term use.
• Pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers should avoid these medicines.
• Doses may need to be changed in people with liver or kidney problems.
• These medicines may suppress breathing and so may not be appropriate for those with sleep apnea or a chronic lung disorder.
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