Can Sleep Aid Medication Help Insomnia?

Sleep aid medications should not be taken lightly. Low-dose sleep aid medication can help short-term insomnia but is rarely helpful for long-term sleep problems. Many experts today recommend only trying medications as a last resort, after other insomnia treatments have failed because they can be addictive and can have serious side effects.

Hypnotics (sedatives, minor tranquilizers, and antianxiety drugs) are among the most commonly used medications for insomnia.

* Most hypnotics require a doctor's prescription because they may be habit-forming or addictive, and overdose is possible.

* Many hypnotics can lose their effectiveness once a person has become accustomed to them.

* Hypnotics also may produce withdrawal symptoms, and this can make the insomnia return. For this reason, doctor's recommend reducing the dose slowly; complete withdrawal can take several weeks.

Sleep aid medications are available as:

* Over-the-counter medications (no prescription needed)

* Prescription medications