Sleep aids
From Drug Rehab Wiki
A sleep aid is anything that helps you get to sleep. It can be a drug or substance, a habit or routine, or even an environmental cue.
Some people go through the same routines night after night before they go to sleep, and the routines actually become sleep aids. These can be as simple as taking a bath, putting on pajamas, brushing your teeth, reading for a set amount of time, watching TV, or having a snack or glass of milk. Environmental sleep aids can be darkening the room, turning on soft music or a relaxation tape, using ear plugs or sound-proofing the bedroom, using certain kinds of bedding or pillows, and so forth.
When people experience insomnia, they often use chemical sleep aids. Over-the-counter remedies sold under names like Nytol, Sominex, Sleepinal, Unisom, and Nighttime Sleep Aid usually contain antihistamines. Others, such as Advil PM or Tylenol PM, are combinations of antihistamines and over-the-counter painkillers. They are usually safe to take if you are not already taking antihistamines, allergy medications, or other painkillers.
Herbal remedies, also freely available to consumers, contain valerian and/or melatonin, which can cause certain side effects such as dizziness, daytime sleepiness, headaches, abdominal pain, nightmares, confusion, and sleepwalking. There have been no scientific studies about whether these remedies are safe and effective over the long-term.
Finally, there are two kinds of prescription drugs for insomnia -- certain benzodiazepines and a newer class of non-benzodiazepine sleeping pills. Benzodiazepines are addictive, and have side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, nervousness, skin tingling, nausea, vomiting, and problems with coordination. Trademarked names of these drugs are ProSom, Dalmane, Doral, Restoril, and Halcion.
The newer drugs have the trademarked names of Lunesta, Sonata, and Ambien. The long-range effect of taking them has not yet been determined. Some people take these drugs and then sleep walk, eat, have sex, and even drive automobiles without remembering any of the activities the next day. Other side effects are morning grogginess, drug tolerance, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
All sleep drugs are habit-forming, and there is some indication that they cause a "rebound" effect. This means that after you stop taking them, you will have an even harder time sleeping than you did before using the drug.
