Sleep Management
Sleep medicines have different roles and are not a substitute for assessing persistent insomnia, breathing-related sleep problems or another underlying cause.
Key takeaways
- Melatonin affects sleep timing, while prescription hypnotics and sedating medicines act through different pathways.
- Some sleep medicines can cause next-day impairment, falls, unusual sleep behaviours, tolerance or dependence.
- Persistent poor sleep, loud snoring, pauses in breathing or marked daytime sleepiness needs clinical assessment.
Listings are for comparison only; suitability, duration and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks and any prescription requirements.
How the medicine groups differ
Melatonin may be used for selected sleep-timing problems. Eszopiclone and zaleplon are prescription hypnotics. Trazodone is an antidepressant that may be prescribed for sleep in some settings; its approved indications vary by country.
What these medicines are used for
Some medicines may be used in selected cases of insomnia, usually alongside assessment of sleep routine, mental health, pain, breathing, substance use and other contributors.
Important safety checks
Discuss pregnancy, breathing disorders, liver or kidney problems, falls, mood symptoms and other sedating medicines. Do not mix a sleep medicine with alcohol, opioids or other sedatives without professional advice. Do not drive or operate machinery if drowsy or impaired.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, inability to wake normally, severe confusion, a serious allergic reaction, suicidal thoughts, or dangerous behaviour while not fully awake. Suspected overdose requires immediate emergency or poison-centre advice.
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