Sleeping pills can have serious, or even deadly side effects.
All sedative-hypnotic drugs have special risks for older adults. Seniors are likely to be more sensitive to the drugs’ effects than younger adults.
And these drugs may stay in their bodies longer.
The drugs can cause confusion and memory problems as well as changes in balance that:
- More than double the risk of falls and hip fractures. These are common causes of hospitalization and death in older people.
- Increase the risk of car accidents.
The new “Z” drugs also have risks.
“Z” drugs include Zolpidem (Ambien and generic) and Zopiclone (Imovane and generic). Studies suggest they have as much or more risk than the older sleep drugs. There are also concerns they may be as addictive as other sedatives.
Try non-drug treatments first.
Get a thorough medical exam. Sleep problems can be caused by depression or anxiety, pain, restless leg syndrome, and many other conditions.
Even if an exam does not turn up an underlying cause, you should try other solutions before you try drugs (tips for better sleep are found below).
Kinds of sleeping pills (sedative-hypnotics).
All of these pills have risks, especially for older adults:
Benzodiazepines
For anxiety:
- Alprazolam (Xanax and generic)
- Diazepam (Valium and generic)
- Lorazepam (Ativan and generic)
For insomnia:
- Flurazepam (Dalmane and generic)
- Oxazepam (Serax and generic)
- Temazepam (Restoril and generic)
- Triazolam (Halcion and generic)
“Z” drugs
- Zolpidem (Ambien and generic)
- Zopiclone (Imovane and generic)
Sometimes medications under the class antipsychotics or antidepressants are prescribed primarily for sleep including:
- Quetiapine (Seroquel and generic)
- Trazodone (Desyrel and generic)
- Amitriptyline (Elavil and generic)
Over-the-counter drugs may not be a good choice.
Side effects of some drugs can be especially bothersome for seniors: next-day drowsiness, confusion, constipation, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating. Avoid these over-the-counter sleep drugs:
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex, Gravol, generic)
- Advil PM
- Tylenol PM
When to try sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Consider these drugs if the sleep problems are affecting your quality of life and nothing else has helped. But your health care provider should watch you carefully to make sure that the drug is helping and not causing bad side effects.
If it is considered necessary, then it should be used at the lowest possible dose and for a limited time.