Have you been able to sleep through the night recently? If not, it might be time to discuss your issues with a healthcare professional. They could prescribe approved Z-drugs such as eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist). These medications can help you achieve better sleep but come with risks.
These drugs work by slowing brain activity. When used correctly, they facilitate quality sleep which positively affects both physical and mental health. However, the treatments also carry serious risks—though rare—that could result in injuries or even death. It is crucial to be aware of these dangers.
In 2019, the FDA mandated adding information about complex sleep behaviors that might lead to severe harm or fatalities on Z-drugs’ labels and patient guides. What are complex sleep behaviors? They involve activities such as sleepwalking, driving while asleep, cooking during slumber, or taking other medications when not fully awake.
The FDA has documented various incidents where individuals using these insomnia medicines accidentally overdosed, fell down, got burned, harmed themselves with firearms, or wandered outside in dangerous weather conditions. Often, people do not remember engaging in such behaviors upon waking up and might experience them after their first dose of a Z-drug or even during prolonged use.
Here are some tips for taking insomnia medications:
- Discuss with your healthcare professional: Understand the benefits and risks associated with the prescribed medication before starting to take it.
- Read Patient Medication Guide carefully: Ensure you comprehend the instructions as soon as you receive the prescription filled.
- Contact healthcare professional if needed: If you have any questions or do not understand something, ask your healthcare provider for clarification.
- Stop taking medication and contact professional immediately: If complex sleep behaviors occur while using Z-drugs, cease the intake and seek medical advice right away. These behaviors can happen even at lower doses.
Follow dosing instructions precisely as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not combine these medicines with other sleep aids, including over-the-counter options. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during use; together they might increase the likelihood of side effects.
Note that all insomnia medications can impair driving and alertness in activities conducted on the morning following their consumption.
