What are sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills are medicines that slow brain activity to help you feel drowsy and fall asleep. Common types include:
- benzodiazepines (e.g. temazepam, diazepam)
- z-drugs (e.g. zolpidem, zopiclone)
What are the risks?
These medicines can:
- cause dependence and tolerance
- cause drowsiness and reduce alertness the next day
- increase the risk of falls, especially in older people
- increase the risk of car accidents
- affect memory and coordination
- worsen breathing problems in people with sleep apnoea.
How well do they work?
Sleeping pills may:
- reduce the time it takes to fall asleep by about 15 to 30 minutes
- increase total sleep time by 30 to 60 minutes.
But they don't help you get natural, healthy sleep. They don't improve how well you sleep or how rested you feel the next day.
What happens if I take them long term?
Over time, sleeping pills:
- become less effective
- can lead to physical and psychological dependence
- can make sleep worse if you stop taking them suddenly.
What are the alternatives?
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) is an effective, evidence-based treatment for long-term sleep problems. CBT-i helps you:
- understand how thoughts, behaviours and habits affect sleep
- improve sleep quality without medicines
- make changes that support better sleep long term.
What should I do next?
If you're concerned about your sleeping pills or sleep quality, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you:
- understand your options
- reduce or stop sleeping pills safely
- find treatments that work better long term.
