Over the Counter Sleeping Pills – How to Use OTC Sleep Aids Safely
Over the counter sleeping pills are easily accessible and usually provide quick relief. However, you can enjoy the best results only if you take these medications correctly. In this way, you will get sufficient relief from sleeplessness without experiencing any side effects.
Discuss your plans to take over the counter sleeping pills with your doctor first. Even though you do not need prescription to get such a sleeping aid, you should definitely talk to your physician about the effectiveness of such drugs in your particular case, about your general health and about any chronic conditions you have and any other medications you take. Your doctor should be able to recommend the best drug and the best dosage for your age, health and personal circumstances.
Take the over the counter sleeping pills in line with the label instructions or the ones provided by your physician. In general, you should read the label of the medication carefully before you start to use it. In this way, you will learn how it will affect you exactly. You will also find out what side effects you may experience. Most importantly, you will find complete information on the drug’s interaction with other medications.
Stick to the intake recommendations by all means. Many over the counter sleep aids are designed to be taken two or three nights at a time during the course of treatment. In addition, they may not work straight away. For these reasons, some patients may get frustrated and upset and overdose the medication they take or take it more frequently than they should. If you feel under a lot of stress and your insomnia adds to it, you should definitely consider using complementary sleep aids, such as muscle relaxation techniques and deep breathing.
Do not drink alcohol while taking over the counter sleeping pills. Most medications interact with alcohol and cause side effects, such as dizziness, clumsiness and confusion. You may even faint. Since the treatment with such drugs is a short-term one, you should not have a problem avoiding alcohol. In fact, avoiding drinking may even help you get greater relief more quickly.
Call your doctor immediately, if you experience side effects. The side effects of over the counter sleep aids can be many and different. Many patients experience daytime drowsiness, morning grogginess, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, forgetfulness and stomach problems. Some may have constipation and urinary retention. You may even feel off balance and act clumsily at times. Even if the symptoms are not severe, you should contact your physician to find out how to get relief. Your doctor may recommend change in the dosage or the intake of the medication.
Quit taking the drug in line with the instructions on the label or the ones provided by your physician. Many medications require gradual withdrawal by lowering the dosage and/or by taking them more rarely. If you do not follow the precise instructions, you may experience side effects like severe rebound insomnia, sweating and shaking.
This is how to use over the counter sleeping pills safely and effectively. Keep in mind that they offer temporary relief and that your insomnia may require more time and effort to treat.