Sleep is an essential part of the overall health of a body. Interrupted sleep can affect normal life activities and reduce performance capability. You may become unfocused, lethargic and have mood swings. In this condition you become more prone to accidents. So, for a healthy human body it’s necessary to maintain circadian rhythm and take healthy sleep. Medical sciences have come up with sleeping tablets, which are used depending upon symptoms and duration of disorder.
To help with sleep related disorders there are prescription, over the counter and natural treatments available as sleeping aids. Which may have different effects but proves helpful to manage sleep disorder and improve the quality of sleep.
Why Do People Struggle to Sleep?
The reasons that cause sleep disturbances are numerous, and knowing them is essential in order to solve your sleeping difficulties properly. One of the most common is short term insomnia. It usually results from a stressful experience, sickness, or some other significant changes in life. Another reason why a person may have difficulty falling asleep is stress and anxiety.
Shift work will definitely disrupt your body’s biological rhythms, as will jet lag after traveling through multiple time zones. Daily practices and behaviors are also an important factor when it comes to difficulties sleeping such as:
- Too much caffeine
- Nighttime computer usage
- Lack of consistency in your sleep schedule
- Drinking alcohol before sleeping
Best Sleeping Tablets Over the Counter in the UK
Selection of appropriate over the counter sleeping pills requires consideration of the causes of the insomnia, one’s health status as well as duration of sleep problems. Over the counter pills for sleep problems are for short-term treatment only and should never substitute professional advice in case the condition persists. Here are some of the most effective sleeping pills along with important facts about their use.
1. Zopiclone
Zopiclone is a Z-Grugs, one of the first line treatment drugs of short-term Insomnia. As it works fast and helps people fall asleep, obtaining deep sleep thus helps to improve overall quality of sleep. It acts on GABA receptors that balances the neural activity and produces a calm effect. Some people may experience metallic taste, dry mouth, drowsiness while using this sleep aid.
2. Zolpidem
It’s also a quick-action Z-Drug, but it majorly helps people who face difficulty to initiate sleep. Acting on GABA receptors it produces chemicals which slows down brain activity. To get optimal results this drug is taken just before the bed, as its fast action and quickly induces drowsiness. In side effects Zolpidem may give headache, dizziness, daytime drowsiness or some sleep-cycle fluctuations.
3. Temazepam
Temazepam is from the benzodiazepine drug class and doctors prescribe it when someone is diagnosed with severe short-term insomnia. It develops relaxation in brain processing, making it easy to fall asleep and stay sleeping for 8 hours. Medical advisors prescribe it for short-term only as it has the potential of dependency or tolerance. Like other benzodiazepines it has side effects like drowsiness, reduced alertness and impaired coordination for the next day.
4. Nitrazepam
Nitrazepam is a sedative sleeping aid but is more effective when sleep disturbance starts affecting daily life. It acts on CNS and ensures deep sleep for the whole night. Side effects are the same as drowsiness, dizziness impaired coordination or reduced concentration.
5. Melatonin
Melatonin is not a naturally sedative chemical, instead it is naturally produced to regulate sleep cycle. As using drugs it acts by melatonin receptor agonists that signal the brain to initiate sleep processes. It’s commonly used to treat short-term insomnia, jet lag or disturbed sleep cycle. It has the potential to regulate sleep for the next few days too. In side effects headache, dizziness and nausea are observed while usage.
6. Lorazepam
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine, though it’s primarily used for anxiety disorders, but in clinical setup it’s adopted to manage insomnia related to anxiety or acute stress. Boosting GABA activity, it helps to promote calm, and acquire restful sleep. Lorazepam has a high risk of tolerance or dependence so it’s advised to be used under medical supervision only. Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue and impaired coordination are observed as side effects of Lorazepam.
7. Diazepam
Diazepam is long-action benzodiazepine used for treatment of anxiety, muscle spasm, and for few sleep abnormalities. Though it’s not considered a first-line treatment for insomnia, it’s one of safe choices to be made for treatment of anxiety or muscle spasm. In potential effects of diazepam you may encounter drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, muscle weakness or reduced concentration.
8. Clonazepam
Again, it’s a benzodiazepine that’s primarily used to treat seizures and panic disorders. Few evidence proves it helpful for treatment of insomnia related to anxiety or other neurological issues. It controls the symptoms by producing a calm and sedative effect. Like other benzodiazepines it has a risk of tolerance or dependence. For side effects drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, impaired coordination and memory deficiencies are observed.
Conclusion
Sleeping pills proves to be an effective approach to treat insomnia or sleep related disorders if used appropriately. Selection of the most appropriate sleeping pills UK depends on the causes of the problem, individual health conditions and whether one requires short term remedy or a longer lasting solution. Popular medicines like Zopiclone, Zolpidem or Lorazepam are best medication for sleep but are for short-term use. In case of persistent and recurrent problems, it is recommended to consult a doctor in order to determine the root of the problem.
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FAQs
The best sleeping pills in the UK will depend on your symptoms and health background. The most popular ones among the patients are Zopiclone and Zolpidem with the proven history of benefits.
Indeed, there are plenty of sleeping tablets that are available over the counter. They are meant to be used for a short period of time and have sedative antihistamine effects.
There are sleep aids available over the counter in the UK which are considered to be the strongest because of their sedative effect. It includes, Zopiclone, Zolpidem, Temazepam and Nitrazepam.
