SP: English Study Group

f you experience difficulties staying or falling asleep or in obtaining sleep of restorative quality -- common symptoms of insomnia -- you may be interested in learning more about sleeping pills. There are over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications available, and a little research with an overview may help you to find the best option.

Over-the-Counter Sleeping Pills

There are a few sleeping pills that are available as OTC medications without the need of a prescription. These options include:

Melatonin

This naturally occurring hormone may be helpful in treating sleep problems such as jet lag, insomnia and circadian-rhythm disorders.

Diphenhydramine

This agent is found in many non-prescription sleeping pills such as Simply Sleep, Unisom, Tylenol PM, Advil PM and Benadryl. It may be helpful in acute insomnia to initiate and maintain sleep, but its long-term use is discouraged by doctors.

Prescription Sleeping Pills

If your insomnia persists and you are not finding relief with the use of OTC sleeping pills, you may need to speak to your doctor about obtaining a prescription sleeping pill. There are many options available, including:

Ambien

One of the most commonly prescribed sleeping pills, Ambien is a hypnotic medication that can help initiate sleep. It affects GABA, a special type of neurotransmitter within the brain. One possible side effect is complex sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking or sleep eating.

Lunesta

Lunesta is a commonly prescribed sleeping pill that is useful in treating insomnia. It is especially helpful in maintaining sleep because it stays in the body longer than similar medications. So, if you find yourself waking in the middle of the night or too early in the morning, Lunesta might be an option to consider.

Rozerem

In a unique way, Rozerem is effective in the treatment of insomnia. Rozerem is a sleeping pill that works to change levels of the hormone melatonin in the body. As melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone, this medication is thought to be quite safe. Like most medications, however, there is the potential for side effects.

Silenor

If you are concerned about becoming addicted to sleeping pills, Silenor might be a good option for you. It seems to lack an abuse potential. It is a tricyclic antidepressant that helps with insomnia at lower doses.

Sonata

For those who have trouble falling asleep, Sonata might be a great option. It is shown to decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, called sleep latency. It begins to work quickly, but it does not last long in the body.

Trazodone

Trazodone is another antidepressant that causes drowsiness and improves insomnia. It does this by increasing the amount of serotonin between nerve cells. There are certain situations where the drug should not be used, such as in certain psychiatric illnesses.

Vocabulary:

0. insomnia 失眠症
0. hypnotic 安眠藥
0. restorative 恢復健康的

Q1. How about your sleeping quality? If not good, what kind of the sleeping problem you have?

Q2. When you can not fall asleep during the midnight, but you have to, what the way you might do to solve this problem?