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Short-term insomnia is quite common in adults, often lasting for several days or weeks. Insomnia is a sleep problem that makes it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep. You might wake up too early or struggle to fall back asleep after waking in the night. It can also leave you feeling tired because your sleep isn’t restful.
But help is out there. You shouldn’t have to stay awake throughout the night, and you can get trusted sleep tablets after consulting your doctor. A range of sleep medications can treat your sleep issue and let you fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. But they can also cause side effects and dependency. So talking to your pharmacist or healthcare provider is critical to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
This blog explains the best sleeping pills UK and how you should use them to treat your sleeping disorder.
Different Types of Sleeping Pills UK
There is a range of sleep aids that can relieve insomnia for short periods. However, many of these medicines carry risks of misuse, dependency, and side effects. They may interact with other substances you are already using, such as alcohol, vitamin supplements, or other medications. For this reason, you must talk to your doctor before starting any new sleep tablets.
Here is an overview of the best UK sleeping pills, also known as hypnotics:
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that induce sedative effects. They work by slowing down the processing of your brain and body. Taking them can help you fall asleep and reduce the chances of waking up in the middle of the night.
They enhance the effects of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) on your body and mind. GABA’s function is to reduce activity in the parts of your central nervous system that regulate reasoning, memory, emotions, and certain critical functions (e.g., breathing). It is naturally present in your body, and benzodiazepines only give it a boost to help you feel relaxed and sleepy.
The following are some common benzodiazepine UK sleeping pills:
They’re usually recommended only to manage severe insomnia, either as a one-off dose or as a short-term treatment for up to 4 weeks. Your doctor may also advise not taking them every day.
It is important to note that the pills can get less effective over time, as your brain gets used to the medicine. Plus, you may feel dependent on the pills and struggle to stop using them if you take them for too long.
Benzodiazepines do come with the risk of possible side effects. Common ones are muscle weakness, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, and memory problems.
Moreover, benzodiazepines are usually not recommended if you have any of the following health issues:
- Sleep apnea
- Severe lung disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney problems
- Uncontrolled myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular condition
Antihistamines
Originally, antihistamines were mainly used to treat symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever. But some of them also cause drowsiness as a side effect. So these medications also have a role in treating short-term insomnia and helping you sleep better. You can get antihistamines like diphenhydramine and promethazine without any recommendation for your sleep disorder.
These are long-acting meds, which means their effects last for a longer time. It means they are more likely to leave a hangover effect the day after you take them.
Doctors or pharmacists generally do not suggest antihistamines if you experience the following health conditions:
- An enlarged prostate gland
- Urinating problems
- Glaucoma
- Liver disease
- Epilepsy
- Porphyria
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Some potential side effects of antihistamines include:
- Feeling confused about where you are
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nightmares
- Restlessness
- Tiredness
You can talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure whether antihistamines are suitable for you.
Melatonin UK Sleeping Pills
Pineal glands in your brain produce a natural hormone called melatonin. It is released in the evening, as it gets dark, to encourage your body to prepare for sleep. That’s why it’s also known as the “sleep hormone”. It controls your body’s response to the 24-hour cycle of day and night.
It is also recommended to treat severe insomnia and sleep disorders. Usually, people aged 55 and over are recommended melatonin to regulate their sleep disorders.
However, it is not for individuals under the age of 18, but may be given to them under certain circumstances. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also advised not to use melatonin for sleep issues. Your doctor or pharmacist can suggest something else for your sleep case.
The Z-Meds
The medicines from the Z family (so called because their generic names all begin with “Z”) act in a very similar way to benzodiazepines. That’s why they’re very effective at helping you go to sleep and stay asleep. But they also can cause the same problems as benzodiazepines, such as addiction and dependence, if you use them for a long time.
The three Z-meds include:
Common side effects of the Z family medications are dry mouth, a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth, and feeling exhausted. There are also a few more serious side effects, though, such as sleepwalking, sleep-driving, and hallucinations.
Never forget to speak to your doctor about your current health problems before you start taking sleeping medication.
Should I Use Sleeping Pills to Help My Insomnia?
UK sleeping pills are the absolute last resort for people who are experiencing sleep issues. But some healthy lifestyle changes can also help resolve the issue if you’re battling with sleepless nights.
Sleeping pills of any kind may have unpleasant side effects and can even make matters worse, so you need to speak to your doctor before you take any of these medications.
If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, then they’ll only recommend that you take sleeping tablets for a few days. They should be used as a short-term solution as you work on the underlying problem keeping you awake at night.
Which Sleeping Pills are Right for Me?
If you think that only sleeping pills can help with insomnia, the crucial thing is to talk to your GP. Your doctor would observe your case, find the reason behind your sleep problem, and devise a treatment plan to handle it. The plan might include a mixture of UK sleeping pills, traditional herbal remedies, lifestyle changes, and psychological treatments (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy – CBT).
FAQs
Can I take 15mg of Zopiclone as a remedy for insomnia?
The usual dose of Zopiclone is one 7.5mg tablet taken before you go to bed. It’s crucial not to take more than the recommended dosage.
How to buy UK sleeping pills?
Visit a UK pharmacy, UKTopMeds, to buy sleeping pills UK and explore our product page. Find your required product and add it to the cart. You’ll receive it within 1-2 working days.
Can I drink alcohol with Zopiclone?
No, it’s not advisable. If you take Zopiclone and alcohol together, it can cause you to sleep too deeply, instead of improving sleep quality. It may lead to trouble waking up and breathing problems.
What is the cause of lack of sleep?
Lack of sleep can happen due to stress, anxiety, poor bedtime habits, or too much screen time. Health issues, caffeine, or an irregular sleep schedule can also make it harder to rest well.
What’s the worst sleep disorder?
Sleep apnea is a serious, life-threatening sleep disorder that happens when breathing is interrupted during sleep. It’s essential to diagnose the reason and treat it early because it can sometimes cause irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
Conclusion
There are various treatment options out there to help you sleep if you’re having trouble sleeping. But you can get the strongest sleeping pills UK only after your healthcare provider recommends it.
In general, sleep tablets are most effective when taken occasionally or over a few weeks, as part of a broader plan to tackle the underlying causes of your insomnia.
However, many of these medications can have potentially serious side effects, including complex sleep behaviours. Some sleep meds also result in a risk of dependency and misuse.
An individual should consult a doctor before and while using any sleep aid in order to avoid dependency issues and side effects.
