The right time to take sleeping pills and how to use them

Sleeping pills are commonly used by people with sleep disorders to help them sleep more easily. However, that does not mean sleeping pills can be taken carelessly. Then, when is the right time to take sleeping pills? Check out the following explanation.

When to take sleeping pills for sleep disorders?

Taking sleeping pills is one way to deal with sleep disorders that are allowed by doctors. You can actually buy sleeping pills at the pharmacy without having to redeem a doctor's prescription.

Yes! You are allowed to take sleeping pills if you find that you have trouble sleeping every now and then. Even so, an article published in Harvard Health explains that prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills serve a different purpose.

If your insomnia complaints include coming and going, aka striking only 1-2 times a week, you can take non-prescription sleeping pills at the pharmacy. Sleep disorders that appear irregularly are still classified as mild, and can be treated with sleeping pills that are purchased without a doctor's prescription.

However, it's better to ask a pharmacist or doctor about sleeping pills that are suitable for your body condition. Especially considering that not all sleeping pills have the same content.

Meanwhile, special doctor's prescription sleeping pills are used to treat more serious sleep disorders. For example, suppose you have had trouble sleeping for days or weeks, prolonged without a break.

The doctor will probably start by giving the lowest dose, to be used in the short term. If your sleep problems do not improve, the dose and duration of use can be increased by your doctor as needed.

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about all the drugs you want to use to treat sleep disorders.

Rules for taking proper sleeping pills

You are allowed to take sleeping pills if you feel like you are not sleeping well every now and then. But remember, taking this drug must be in accordance with the rules of use to avoid unwanted side effects of using the drug.

1. Check with the doctor

For the safest use, first consult your medical condition to a doctor or medical professional. Usually, the doctor will research more about the sleep disorder you are experiencing.

If the doctor can find the cause of your insomnia, they can prescribe the most appropriate medication for your condition.

If you've been taking sleeping pills for more than a few weeks, ask your doctor about the progress of your health condition and the use of sleeping pills itself. Are you allowed to stop using it or not. The reason is, using sleeping pills in the long term can cause dependence.

2. Read the rules of use

If you do take sleeping pills that are bought over the counter at a pharmacy, you are still required to read the rules of use which are usually printed on the medicine package. That way, you will better understand how to use it, and when is the right time to take this drug.

3. Avoid taking sleeping pills before actually sleeping

The function of sleeping pills is to make you sleepy and quickly fall asleep. So, avoid taking this drug if you have no intention of sleeping. Of course you don't want to get sleepy at the wrong time, do you?

Taking sleeping pills can make you lose concentration and potentially put you in danger. Use this medication when you are completely ready to go to bed for a more effective use of the drug.

4. Use sleeping pills when you can't sleep at night

Take sleeping pills only when you feel you can't sleep or won't sleep well overnight. Take sleeping pills when you may only be able to sleep for a maximum of four hours.

The reason is, there are sleeping pills that only provide short-term effects. This means that if you feel like you need to be able to get enough sleep (around 7-8 hours), taking short-term sleeping pills will make you more likely to wake up in the middle of the night because the effects of the medication wear off.

5. Be careful with side effects

You can find a list of the risks of side effects on the information label provided on the packaging of the medicine. If after reading any confusing information, check with your pharmacist or doctor.

You shouldn't underestimate the side effects of taking sleeping pills. Especially if the side effects of using the drug have started to interfere with daily activities. For example, suppose you begin to feel sleepy during the day after using a sleeping pill overnight.

Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience while taking sleeping pills. Your doctor may change the dose of the medicine you are taking, or even stop the dose of your medication.

The tips if you are just starting to take medication or change to a new brand, don't drink it when you have important activities at night. This is to avoid the side effects of using new drugs that you don't know about.

6. Avoid consuming alcohol

When you take sleeping pills, avoid consuming alcohol at the same time. The problem is, alcohol can increase the sedative effect found in sleeping pills.

Even if you only consume very small amounts of alcohol, the effects will still interact with the way the drug works.

Taking sleeping pills and alcohol together can cause your head to feel dizzy, dazed, and feel or feel faint. As a result, the effects of sleeping pills are useless and can actually make insomnia worse.

Combining alcohol with certain types of sleeping pills can also cause breathing problems during sleep.

7. Stop slowly

If you regularly take sleeping pills but now want to stop, stop slowly.

You can gradually reduce the dosage until you really don't use it at all. It is also important to note that stopping sleeping pills also carries a risk of side effects.

Quitting sleeping pills, even if done slowly, can give you a headache that causes insomnia a few days after stopping.

Better to follow the instructions from your doctor, pharmacist, or even the information on how to use the medicine that you read on the package.