Prescription Sleeping Pills Explained: Which one is right for you?

There is nothing worse than not being able to get to sleep at night, or being able to get to sleep, only to wake up a few hours later and then just laying there because you can’t get back to sleep. This is where prescription sleeping pills come in. These medications have helped countless people to get a refreshing night's sleep. In this article, we will delve into the world of sleeping pills, answering many frequently asked questions regarding what they are, why you may need them, as well as what medications actually are sleeping pills and which are misconstrued as sleeping pills. 

What is a sleeping pill?

A sleeping pill is a medication that is used to help people suffering from insomnia and other sleeping disorders. Sleeping pills, for the most part, work by targeting the chemicals in the brain that help to regulate sleep. By doing this, they cause drowsiness and tiredness to the point where it promotes sleep. There are a number of different sleeping pills that you can purchase, all of which may be good for different reasons and for different conditions. 

Why would I need a sleeping pill?

There are a number of different reasons why someone may benefit from using sleeping pills. Here are some of the main reasons why someone may start using a sleeping pill:

• Insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for a person to fall asleep, stay asleep or both. Sleeping pills can be used to treat insomnia and improve the quality and duration of sleep.

• Jet Lag: Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when a person travels across different time zones. Sleeping pills can help regulate a person's sleep-wake cycle and help them adjust to the new time zone.

• Anxiety: Anxiety can cause difficulty falling or staying asleep. Sleeping pills can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, which can lead to better sleep.

• Chronic Pain: Chronic pain can interfere with a person's ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sleeping pills can help manage pain and promote better sleep.

Are sleeping pills safe?

Yes, sleeping pills are safe when they are used as they have been prescribed by a healthcare provider. However, as with all prescription medications, there is a risk of experiencing some side effects when you use a sleeping pill. The most common side effects of sleeping pills include dizziness, drowsiness and difficulty with coordination. Some sleeping pills may also cause more serious side effects, however, these are much less common. Some of the more serious side effects that could occur include brief memory loss, sleepwalking and allergic reactions. It is important to remember that, as long as they are not abused, sleeping pills are safe to use. 

How many mg of sleeping pills is safe?

The dosage and strength of sleeping pills that someone will use will depend on a number of factors including what pill it is that they have been prescribed. Some factors that will affect the dosage of a sleeping pill that a person is prescribed include their age, weight, medical history and the type of sleeping pill that they are taking. 

How long should I use a sleeping pill for?

The amount of time that someone will need to use a sleeping pill will vary from person to person. The main factor for how long someone would use a pill will be their particular condition. Some conditions such as jet lag will only require shorter-term usage of sleeping pills whereas other conditions, such as insomnia, may require longer-term usage. Generally, sleeping pills are meant to be used for shorter periods of time, typically between a week and 10 days. Longer-term use of sleeping pills can be risky as it can lead to dependence or tolerance to the medication. 

Is it bad to take a sleeping pill every night?

When you take a sleeping pill every night you will be running the risk of becoming dependent on them, or your body may build up a tolerance to the medication which means that you will no longer feel its effects when you take it. It is very important that you follow the instructions for dosage that were provided to you by your healthcare provider. These instructions are there to keep you safe, as well as to provide you with the most benefits of the medications you have. 

What sleeping pills are there?

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about what medications are sleeping pills and which ones are not. 

Is Melatonin a sleeping pill?

YES. Melatonin is a hormone that is used by the body to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Synthetic melatonin, known as Cicardin, is prescribed as a sleeping pill. 

Is Diazepam a sleeping pill?

YES. Diazepam, also known as Valium, is a benzodiazepine sleeping pill that is used to treat insomnia as well as anxiety and muscle spasms. 

Is Zopivane a sleeping pill?

YES. Zopivane is a medication that is used to help treat insomnia and anxiety. It contains a medication called Zopiclone. 

Is Zopiclone a sleeping pill?

YES. Zopiclone is a sleeping pill that is used to treat insomnia. It comes in different names due to it being a generic medication.

Is Zimovane a sleeping pill?

YES. Zimovane is a sleeping pill that contains the medication Zopiclone. It is used to help people suffering from insomnia. 

Is Zolpidem a sleeping pill?

YES. Zolpidem is a sleeping pill that is used to help treat short-term insomnia. It works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain.

Is Nitrazepam a sleeping pill?

YES. Nitrazepam is a benzodiazepine medication that is used to help treat people suffering from severe insomnia. 

Is Lorazepam a sleeping pill?

YES. Lorazepam is a medication that is used to help treat anxiety and sleep disorders that are related to anxiety. 

Is Clonazepam a sleeping pill?

NO. Clonazepam is not a sleeping pill. It is in fact used to treat epileptic fits and seizures, restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms. 

Is Amitriptyline a sleeping pill?

NO. Amitriptyline is not a sleeping pill. It is most commonly used to help treat depression, pain, and migraines.

Is Mirtazapine a sleeping pill?

NO. Mirtazapine is a medication that is used to help treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety

Is Etizolam a sleeping pill?

YES. Etizolam can be used as a sleeping pill. It is a benzodiazepine that is also used to treat anxiety and depression.

Is Ambien a sleeping pill?

YES. Ambien, also known by its generic name Zolpidem, is a sleeping pill that is used to help treat short-term insomnia.

Is Bromazepam a sleeping pill?

NO. Bromazepam is not a sleeping pill. It is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat excessive anxiety. 

Is Cenpain a sleeping pill?

NO. Cenpain is not a sleeping pill. It is a medication used to help treat pain felt at night from joints, toothaches, periods and more. 

Is Cetirizine a sleeping pill?

NO. Cetirizine is an antihistamine medication that is used to help treat the symptoms of allergies.

Is Citalopram a sleeping pill?

NO. Citalopram is not a sleeping pill, it is a medication that is used to treat depression and panic attacks. 

Is Clobazam a sleeping pill?

NO. Clobazam is not a sleeping pill. It is a benzodiazepine that is more commonly used to help control seizures.

Is Clonidine a sleeping pill?

NO. Clonidine is not a sleeping pill. It is a vasodilator that is used to help treat migraines and hot flushes and sweats that occur during menopause.

Is Clonotril a sleeping pill?

NO. Clonotril is a benzodiazepine medication that is primarily used to help treat seizures and epileptic fits. 

Is Disopan a sleeping pill?

NO. Disopan is not a sleeping pill. It is primarily used to help treat panic and anxiety disorders.

Is Dormicum a sleeping pill?

NO. Dormicum, also known as midazolam, is primarily used to help treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures. 

Is Duloxetine a sleeping pill?

NO. Duloxetine is not a sleeping pill, it is instead used to help treat people suffering from chronic pain, depression and anxiety. 

Is Gabapentin a sleeping pill?

NO. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that is used to help treat seizures and nerve pain by reducing abnormal brain activity. 

Is Hydroxyzine a sleeping pill?

NO. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that is used to help treat anxiety and excessive itching. 

Is Lexotan a sleeping pill?

NO. Lexotan, also known as bromazepam, is a benzodiazepine that is used to help treat anxiety and panic disorders.

Is Nortriptyline a sleeping pill?

NO. Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that can help to treat depression by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. 

Is Olanzapine a sleeping pill?

NO. Olanzapine is not a sleeping pill. It is instead an atypical antipsychotic used to help treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Is Paracetamol a sleeping pill?

NO. Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a medication that is used to help treat minor pain and fever

Is Piriton a sleeping pill?

NO. Piriton is a medication known as chlorphenamine. It is used to help relieve the symptoms of allergies such as hay fever and hives.

Is Pregabalin a sleeping pill?

NO. Pregabalin is not a sleeping pill, it is instead an anticonvulsant that is used to help treat nerve pain, seizures and anxiety. 

Is Quetiapine a sleeping pill?

NO. Quetiapine is not a sleeping pill. It is a medication used to help treat mental health conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and manic depressive disorder. 

Is Rivotril a sleeping pill?

NO. Rivotril, also known as clonazepam, is used to help treat several conditions including epilepsy and anxiety. 

Is Sertraline a sleeping pill?

NO. Sertraline is not a sleeping pill. It is a medication that is used to help treat depression, anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Sleeping Pills Summary Table

Here is a handy summary table of all of the above frequently asked questions.

What is the best-sleeping pill for the elderly?

Typically, the best sleeping pill for an elderly person will depend on their particular condition and other factors. Usually, it will be best not to use benzodiazepines as it increases the risk of side effects including a lack of coordination. This means they will usually be given non-benzodiazepines that have a shorter half-life like zolpidem. 

Is it legal to buy sleeping pills online?

Yes, it is completely legal to purchase sleeping pills online from EU Meds. When you shop online with EU Meds you will need to complete an online consultation before you purchase your medication to ensure that it is right for you. 

Is Sleeping Pills UK legit?

Rather than shopping around at sites such as Sleeping Pills UK which may or may not be legit, you are better off shopping with EU Meds. All of the medication that we provide to our customers is all completely legitimate and will provide the results you need. 

Where can I buy sleeping pills online?

The best place you can purchase sleeping pills online is EU Meds. We have a wide range of sleeping pills that can help people suffering from a number of different conditions. 

Which sleeping pills are available at EU Meds? 

Here is a list of the sleeping pills that you can purchase from EU Meds:

• Diazepam

• Zopiclone

• Zolpidem

• Zimovane

• Nitrazepam

• Lorazepam

Medically Reviewed by:
Dr. Irfan Siddique MBBS
GMC reference no: 7694522
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