Prescription Sleep Medication

There are a lot of Prescription Sleep Medications on the market and they are being prescribed left and right. Many people just put all of their trust in their doctor’s hands and don’t ask any questions. We need to be in charge of our health and us alone. If you are having sleep issues see your physician and tell them all of your symptoms, even things that you may not feel are relevant. If they suggest a prescription sleep medication here are few questions you need to ask.

• Is this medication potentially addictive? There are a lot of potentially addictive prescription sleep aids that are still prescribed everyday, especially to patients over the age of 65.
• What are the common side effects? Besides being habit forming (mentally or physically); there are a number of side effects when taking prescribed or over the counter (OTC) sleep medications. Headaches, dizziness, memory loss and daytime sleepiness are the main side effects that are described.
• How long will I need to take this medication? It is very important to find out how long you will be taking the sleep medication before actually taking it. Not knowing the risks of the medication may increase a dependency on it if your not completely aware of all the side effects first.
• If I take it every night will I become dependant on it? Many doctors will say that the medication is not a dependence risk but that is not always the case with sleep medications. If you already have a sleep issue or sleep disorder there already is the problem in taking the medication. Many sleep medications will become addictive within a short amount of time. It is not always a physical addiction, in a lot cases it is a psychological addiction.
• Does this Sleep Aid contain Benzodiazepines? Benzodiazepines are probably the most prescribed sleep medication. Benzodiazepines were often used as tranquilizers for people with severe mental illness such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. There is a high risk in becoming physically dependant on sleep aids with benzodiazepines.