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Sleep Aids

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Is a sleep aid right for you?

It is possible that you and your healthcare professional may decide that a sleep aid could be right for you. Sleep aids can be very effective in treating sleep problems, but because our bodies may react differently to different medications, no one sleep aid works perfectly for everyone.

Here is a quick overview of three types of sleep aids:

Prescription (Rx) sleep aids
There are several classes of prescription sleep aids. Your healthcare professional will decide which is best for you based on your symptoms, medical history, and any other medications you are taking. Here are some of the classes of prescription sleep aids:

  • Melatonin Receptor Agonists
    This newer class of sleep medication affects the same area of the brain as melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep). It works with receptors in your brain that are believed to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm.
  • Non-benzodiazepines
    This is among the newest classes of sleep medicines. Because they are eliminated from the body quickly, they are less likely to cause daytime sleepiness. Unlike the older class of prescription sleep aids, they are "selective," which means they target specific receptors in the brain that are thought to be associated with sleep. AMBIEN CR is in this class of medicines.
  • Benzodiazepines
    A class of medications often prescribed for sleep problems and anxiety. This class includes both long-acting medicines (which can linger in the body and potentially cause daytime drowsiness) and short-acting medicines (which do not stay in the bloodstream as long).
  • Antidepressants
    Antidepressants are not FDA approved to treat insomnia. However, healthcare professionals will sometimes prescribe them to help with sleep problems.

All prescription medicines pose a risk of side effects, so healthcare professionals generally don't recommend taking them for long periods. Instead, they recommend using a sleep aid with other sleep therapy to teach your body to fall asleep on its own.

Over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids
Over-the-counter sleep aids are medications you can generally get at a grocery or drug store, and do not require a prescription. Most are effective because they contain antihistamines, for example diphenhydramine and doxylamine, which are often found in cold medicines. While these medicines may help you fall asleep, the antihistamines in them may leave you feeling drowsy the next day. It is recommended that you talk with your healthcare professional or pharmacist before using these medicines.

Natural sleep aids
Natural sleep aids are often associated with herbal supplements. You can get these sleep aids without a prescription just like over-the-counter treatments. However, many of these dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA and they may not have been tested for safety and effectiveness.

The two most popular herbal supplements marketed to treat insomnia are Melatonin and Valerian. Melatonin is something our bodies create naturally so there's some debate whether adding more to our systems is useful as a sleep aid. Valerian may reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, but recent government studies of the efficacy of this natural sleep aid were inconclusive

It is important that you talk with your healthcare professional before taking any herbal supplement.

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† Maximum benefit is $20 off, on up to 5 prescriptions, depending on your out-of-pocket costs. Not valid for patients participating in Medicare, Medicaid, government (public insurance) programs, or any private payor in the state of Massachusetts and where prohibited by law.
‡ See terms and conditions on offer material.

AMBIEN CR is indicated to help you fall asleep and/or stay asleep.

AMBIEN is indicated for short-term treatment to help you fall asleep.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR are treatment options you and your doctor can consider along with lifestyle changes. When taking either of them, don’t drive or operate machinery. Plan to devote 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active. Sleepwalking, and eating or driving while not fully awake, with memory loss for the event, as well as abnormal behaviors such as being more outgoing or aggressive than normal, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations may occur. Don’t take it with alcohol as it may increase these behaviors. In patients with depression, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide may occur. If you experience any of these behaviors contact your doctor immediately. Allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, swelling of your tongue or throat, may occur and in rare cases may be fatal. If you have an allergic reaction while using AMBIEN or AMBIEN CR, contact your doctor immediately. Side effects of AMBIEN CR may include next-day drowsiness, dizziness and headache. There is a low occurrence of side effects associated with the short-term use of AMBIEN. The most commonly observed side effects in controlled clinical trials were drowsiness, dizziness, and diarrhea. AMBIEN is taken for 7 to 10 days –or longer as advised by your provider. AMBIEN CR can be taken as long as your doctor recommends. AMBIEN and AMBIEN CR have some risk of dependency. They are non-narcotic.

Please refer to the AMBIEN CR full prescribing information and medication guide.
Please refer to the AMBIEN full prescribing information and medication guide.

Click here for information on drug anti-counterfeiting.

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