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Many of you may be experiencing severe insomnia and have been prescribed and are using sleeping pills.
Are you taking your sleeping pills correctly? For example, the reason why some people say "sleeping pills don't work" might be due to the way they are taking them, not the medication itself.
Depending on how they are taken, sleeping pills may not only fail to produce the expected effects, but can also cause side effects and lead to unexpected problems.
This article will discuss what to pay attention to in order to ensure the medication works effectively and to avoid side effects.
Take it immediately before going to bed
For most sleeping pills, the blood concentration of the active ingredients peaks about 30 minutes to an hour after taking them.
If you miss that timing, you may still have trouble falling asleep and the sleeping pills may not be effective.
Also, the peak in blood concentration varies by individual, and it can rise earlier. If you remain active after taking the medication, effects such as muscle relaxation and mild cognitive impairment may occur, increasing the risk of falls.
Furthermore, some sleeping pills can cause memory impairment as a side effect, which could lead to problems such as losing memory of activities performed after taking the medication. Therefore, to achieve the desired effect and avoid problems, take the medication immediately before going to bed and lie down right away.
Is it wrong to take it for a nap?
Also, the key here is "going to bed," meaning it's not advisable to take it before a nap or at a time different from your usual bedtime.
If taken before a nap, depending on the medication, drowsiness may persist even after waking up, which can be very dangerous.
Additionally, if someone who usually goes to bed at 11 PM takes the medication at 8 PM, they would be forcing themselves to sleep at a time that differs from their natural body rhythm. This could lead to situations like "feeling sleepy but unable to fall asleep" or "waking up in the middle of the night and remaining in a restless state."
Follow the dosage and administration instructions
Do not increase the dosage or take extra medication because you "want to sleep well" or "sleeping pills aren't working."
A sudden increase in blood concentration can, depending on the medication, cause respiratory depression and even death, and even if not, it can lead to severe memory impairment or consciousness disorders, which is dangerous.
Furthermore, taking additional doses can maintain a high blood concentration, potentially causing the effects of the sleeping pill to linger until the next morning.
Moreover, some sleeping pills have psychological and physical dependence, and once the dose is increased, it can be difficult to reduce it, so caution is necessary.
Avoid drinking alcohol with it
The mechanism of action of alcohol intoxication and sedative sleeping pills like benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines on the nervous system are similar. Therefore, when both are combined, the effect of sleeping pills on the nerves is intensified, increasing the likelihood of side effects.
Do not stop abruptly
As mentioned earlier, sleeping pills can be addictive. Suddenly stopping their use can lead to "rebound insomnia," where severe insomnia or increased anxiety may occur.
"Rebound insomnia" is particularly characteristic of short-acting and intermediate-acting medications, so those using these types of drugs should be cautious.
If you wish to reduce your medication or have any concerns, do not make decisions on your own; consult your doctor without hesitation.
Concurrent use with other medications
Benzodiazepine sleeping pills were originally developed as anxiolytics, and some people prescribed this medication are also prescribed other psychotropic drugs in addition to sleeping pills.
The concurrent use of medications can increase the risk of side effects, so when you are prescribed sleeping pills, be sure to fully inform your doctor and pharmacist about any other medications you are currently taking.
