Safety Tips to Consider Before Consuming Sleep Aid Tablets

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia (CBT-I). Medication, on the other hand, can be beneficial for certain people who suffer from insomnia. To ensure that you use sleep aid tablets safely and effectively to treat insomnia, follow these guidelines:

1. Always seek your doctor’s permission before using a sleeping drug.

2. Tell your doctor about any other medications you’re currently taking.

3. Tell your doctor if you have any other health issues, such as high blood pressure or liver disease.

4. Read the package insert that came with your medication carefully.

5. Follow your doctor’s directions to the letter. Do not take more than your doctor has prescribed.

6. Never consume alcohol within two hours of taking a sleep aid tablet.

7. Only take a sleeping tablet if you know you’ll have plenty of time to sleep. (Most sleeping medicines, including Ambien or Lunesta, should be taken seven to eight hours before you need to get up.) If you have at least four hours of bedtime left, you can take Intermezzo in the middle of the night.)

8. Take the initial dose on a night when you won’t have to leave the house the next day.

9. Never go behind the wheel of a car after taking sleeping medicine.

10. If you have any concerns while using a sleep medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away.

11. Don’t use it too much. sleep aid tablets should be saved for emergencies rather than nightly use to avoid dependency and limit side effects.

12. Never operate machinery or drive a car after taking a sleeping pill. This is especially crucial if you’re new to a sleep aid and aren’t sure how it will impact you.

13. Carefully read the package insert that comes with your sleep aid tablets. Keep a watch out for any drug interactions and negative effects. Antidepressants and antibiotics, for example, can interact dangerously with sleeping medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter. When taking numerous sleeping drugs, certain foods, such as grapefruit and grapefruit juice, must be avoided.

Drug Interactions with Sleep Aid Tablets

Drug interactions can cause your prescriptions to act strangely or put you at risk for harmful side effects. This list does not cover all possible drug interactions. Make a note of everything you’re taking (including prescription and nonprescription drugs, as well as herbal supplements) and talk to your doctor and pharmacist about it.

Antihistamines applied to the skin are one example of a the product that could interact with sleeping tablets. 

If you’re taking any other drowsy medications, such as opioid pain relievers (codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), sleep or anxiety medications (alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or other antihistamines, tell your doctor or pharmacist (such as cetirizine, chlorpheniramine).

All of your drugs (such as allergy or cough-and-cold remedies) should be checked for components that induce drowsiness. Inquire with your pharmacist about the safe use of certain products.

Certain laboratory tests (particularly allergy skin tests) maybe affected by this medicine, potentially leading to erroneous test findings. Make sure your laboratory personnel and all of your doctors are aware that you are taking this medication.