Are sleeping pills dangerous?

Question

I've heard that they can be dangerous...?

Answer 1

Well the over the counter sleeping pills aren't dangerous and very unlikely you would be able to overdose on them if you even tried.  A lot of prescription sleeping can be very dangerous and specially if mixed you may not be waking up depending on the ones.  Any sleeping pill though is dangerous if you are driving while you take them or something like that.  The problem with most sleeping pills unless they have only natural ingredients they make you still feel groggy in the morning and you can end up not being alert enough for the things you need to do.

Answer 2

Well, no but too much is dangerous.

Answer 3

Research link about effects of Ambien and Lunesta.

http://www.sleeplikethedead.com/sleeping...

Answer 4

More than the prescribed dose sure is!!

Answer 5

Hi:    Let me first suggest you try natural remedies first for sleeping problems. Herbs that can be helpful are valerian root, kava kava, chamomile, lemon balm, hops, and catnip. You can brew teas from these herbs. Also, most health food stores sell capsules of single herbs as well as combinations of the herbs. Probably valerian root and kava kava are the most helpful. You can also try a homeopathic remedy called coffea crudea. On a short-term basis, melatonin can help.

There are over the counter sleeping pills like Sominex, Nytol and  Unisom. I would not call them dangerous, especially when taken as described. However, they can be habit forming. Often, when you stop taking them, your sleeping problem returns. If you get them in a drug store, talk to the pharmacist if you have any questions.

Then there are prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills that some people use for sleep. They can be dangerous when a person takes too many. They can be addictive, much worse than over the counter stuff. In my opinion, the best to take are sonata, then ambien, and then lunesta. After that, I would recommend ambien and finally xanax. I have listed them like that because sonata leaves your body very quickly, ambien takes a little more time to leave your body, etc. The longer the drug stays in your body, the groggier you might feel in the morning.

Again, the problem with sleeping pills from a doctor is that they can be addictive. They can be harmful when overused.

Most important, I am not a doctor. CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST FIRST, if you have any questions.

Answer 6

If taken as prescribed, rarely dangerous.  The real problem is that they are drugs and many of them addictive because they provide a sense of escape or well being which leads to prolonged use and/or subsequent abuse as well as a convenient method for suicide.