The Best Insomnia Medication for You

Chronic insomnia is a prevalent and serious condition that is often treated with various forms of medication. Newer forms of insomnia medication are safe when used as prescribed and on a periodic basis, and are less addictive than their older cousins. When considering insomnia medication, it is important to remember there is no "one-size-fits-all" treatment, and it is best to discuss your sleep problems and concerns with a doctor before using any type of drug therapy.

The earliest known insomnia medication is bromide, which was used to promote sleep back in the mid 19th century. Bromide was originally used to treat epilepsy, but it was found to be an effective tranquilizer and sedative shortly thereafter. By the early 1900's, a new class of drug, barbituates, was developed. Barbituates were very effective in promoting sleep, and were widely used up until the 1960's, when benzodiazepines were introduced as a treatment for insomnia. Benzodiazepines were a much safer insomnia medication than barbituates, as they were much less likely to produce adverse effects, as well as much less likely to be fatal in the event of an overdose.

The newest class of insomnia medication, developed in the 1990's, are known as non-benzodiazepine, benzodiazepine receptor agonists. These medications are as effective as benzodiazepines, yet they have been shown to present a lower risk of addiction and abuse, as well as fewer side effects.

There are a number of different types of insomnia medication, most of which fall into either the class of benzodiazepines or the class of non-benzodiazepine, benzodiazepine receptor agonists.

The first type of insomnia medication is sedative-hypnotic. Sedative-hypnotics are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and increase the duration of sleep. These medications are generally taken orally at bedtime, although some of the newer forms of sedative-hypnotics can be taken on an "as needed" basis whenever symptoms occur. Sedative-hypnotics classified as benzodiazepines are no longer as commonly prescribed due to side effects such as inappropriate use, dependence, memory and movement impairments, and next-day sensations similar to a hangover. Those classified as non-benzodiazepine, benzodiazepine receptor agonists have much better safety profiles
and are more likely to be prescribed. However, unusual side effects such as sleepwalking have been reported by a few who have used them.

Another type of insomnia medication is over-the-counter (OTC). OTC insomnia medications can be purchased at a pharmacy or drugstore without a prescription. The majority of these medications contain antihistamines that act as sedatives. The dosage of these antihistamines generally range from 25mg to 50mg. They do not work for everyone, however, and can produce side effects such as dry mouth and eyes, urinary retention, confusion, vivid dreams, and a next-day "hangover."

A third type of insomnia medication is sedating antidepressants. These are prescription medications more commonly used to treat depression, but have sedative effects that promote sleep. While there is solid evidence that sedating antidepressants are effective at
treating insomnia in the context of treating depression, their effectiveness in treating primary insomnia is less clear. Furthermore, the side effects of sedating antidepressants are more severe than those of sedative-hypnotics, and are therefore less likely to be prescribed.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice. For medical advice, please consult your doctor.