medication for sleep disorder
Choosing the Right Medication for Sleep Disorder
Remy JirekMedications for a sleep disorder come in more than one form because there are various types of sleep related problems and many require a specific form of treatment. Some sufferers seek relief from over the counter pain relievers that contain a mild sedative. There are other over the counter medications that are made with the sole purpose of helping you fall asleep. Prescription medications such as Trazadone, Elavil and Ambien, as well as many others are designed to treat specific sleeping disorders.
Different Types
Despite what TV advertisements want you to believe, there is no one good medication for sleep disorders. This is because there are over 100 types of sleep disorders and more than that number of medications, in several varieties.
Over-the-counter medications may work for a short period of sleep deprivation. Some mild aspirin products add elements to encourage sleeping, but they don't always work and are not recommended for long periods of time.
Some people get sleepy no matter what over-the-counter medications they take, and try to force sleepiness hoping one or more of them will cause them to fall asleep. Not only is this not a good idea, it can actually be dangerous. Whether someone is taking too much of one medication or mixing several, it is not a good form of medication for a sleep disorder.
Trazadone has been used for sleeping disorders, namely insomnia. Elavil is used for forcing REM-induced sleep, and works very well. Because sleep disorders can also include such things as Restless Leg Syndrome, medications used for different movement disorders are often prescribed.
Some drugs such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan can be prescribed short-term, while others such as Ambian and Lunesta are also helpful. Your doctor can describe the pros and cons of each type of medication and whether it is appropriate for your type of sleep disorder.
Opiates such as oxycodone, and codeine can be prescribed for restless leg syndrome during pregnancy, and can also be added to other medication (such as cough syrup) if an allergy or condition is causing a sleep disorder. However, because of the extreme likelihood of dependency or addiction, opiates are not generally considered a medication for a sleep disorder. Namely, they might be more detrimental to sleep disorders; possibly even causing new ones.
Depakote, Tegretol and other seizure medications are used to medicate sleep disorders such as nocturnal eating syndrome, restless leg syndrome, limb movement, and insomnia. Many patients find the side effects of the drugs to far outweigh the benefits, but for others, they are a welcome relief.
It is important to determine whether or not medication is to be taken long-term and, if so, what adjustments need to be made to ensure that the maintenance dose of the drug is not exceeded, or that dependency does not occur. If a large dosage of a particular medication for a sleep disorder is too high, there should be a re-evaluation to determine if another substance could provide better results.
Despite what TV advertisements want you to believe, there is no one good medication for sleep disorders. This is because there are over 100 types of sleep disorders and more than that number of medications, in several varieties.
Over-the-counter medications may work for a short period of sleep deprivation. Some mild aspirin products add elements to encourage sleeping, but they don't always work and are not recommended for long periods of time.
Some people get sleepy no matter what over-the-counter medications they take, and try to force sleepiness hoping one or more of them will cause them to fall asleep. Not only is this not a good idea, it can actually be dangerous. Whether someone is taking too much of one medication or mixing several, it is not a good form of medication for a sleep disorder.
Trazadone has been used for sleeping disorders, namely insomnia. Elavil is used for forcing REM-induced sleep, and works very well. Because sleep disorders can also include such things as Restless Leg Syndrome, medications used for different movement disorders are often prescribed.
Some drugs such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan can be prescribed short-term, while others such as Ambian and Lunesta are also helpful. Your doctor can describe the pros and cons of each type of medication and whether it is appropriate for your type of sleep disorder.
Opiates such as oxycodone, and codeine can be prescribed for restless leg syndrome during pregnancy, and can also be added to other medication (such as cough syrup) if an allergy or condition is causing a sleep disorder. However, because of the extreme likelihood of dependency or addiction, opiates are not generally considered a medication for a sleep disorder. Namely, they might be more detrimental to sleep disorders; possibly even causing new ones.
Depakote, Tegretol and other seizure medications are used to medicate sleep disorders such as nocturnal eating syndrome, restless leg syndrome, limb movement, and insomnia. Many patients find the side effects of the drugs to far outweigh the benefits, but for others, they are a welcome relief.
It is important to determine whether or not medication is to be taken long-term and, if so, what adjustments need to be made to ensure that the maintenance dose of the drug is not exceeded, or that dependency does not occur. If a large dosage of a particular medication for a sleep disorder is too high, there should be a re-evaluation to determine if another substance could provide better results.