For those who have difficulty sleeping due to insomnia, there may come a point when you are interested in investigating the use of sleeping pills to treat your condition. There are two major classes of prescription medication for sleep: benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines. The group of nonbenzodiazepines may be appealing because they have fewer side effects. What are nonbenzodiazepines? What medications are included in this category? Who should not use nonbenzodiazepine medications?
To answer these questions, let’s review an excerpt from UpToDate -- a trusted electronic medical reference used by health care providers and patients alike. Then, read on for additional information about what all of this means for you.
"Nonbenzodiazepines are a class of prescription medicines that are similar to benzodiazepines, although side effects of nonbenzodiazepines tend to be less frequent and less severe than with traditional benzodiazepines because these medicines work for a shorter amount of time."Nonbenzodiazepines used to treat insomnia include zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zolpidem (Ambien), and zolpidem extended release (Ambien CR). Do not take these medicines with alcohol or other sedating drugs, and do not take more medicine than your doctor or nurse recommends. Nonbenzodiazepines may be addictive if you take them every night for a prolonged period."
As with any of the sleeping pills, it is highly recommended that you carefully discuss your unique situation with your health care provider to determine if a medication is right for you. If after consultation it is determined that a medication is indicated to treat your acute insomnia, you may be interested in learning more about your various options. Here are profiles of the more commonly prescribed nonbenzodiazepine medications used for sleep:
- Zaleplon (Sonata)
- Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
- Zolpidem (Ambien)
Much like the benzodiazepine medications, the nonbenzodiazepines work by binding to the receptors for a chemical messenger in the brain called GABA. These chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, work by traveling between nerve cells to conduct signals within the brain. By binding to the receptors for GABA, these medications can promote sleep.
Unfortunately, these sleeping pills are not for everyone. In fact, some people should use them with caution or avoid them altogether. These medicines should not be taken with alcohol or other drugs that suppress your consciousness or respiratory system, as it may slow or stop your breathing. If you have a history of addiction, psychiatric illness, or are elderly, you may not want to use these medications.
The risk for side effects is similar to other sleeping pills, but because the medications last for a shorter period in the body, you are less likely to have residual sleepiness or feel "hung-over" in the morning. Nevertheless, you may want to review the potential benefits and side effects with your doctor before starting one of these medications to treat your insomnia.
Want to learn more? See UpToDate's topic, "Insomnia treatments," for additional in-depth medical information.
Source:
Bonnet, Michael et al. "Insomnia treatments." UpToDate. Accessed: October 2011.
