Hypnotics and Sleep Medications at College

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Hypnotics and Sleep Medications

Because sleep problems are the primary presenting complaint of many students, there is often a request for a "quick fix" with medication. Sleep medications can be effective and safe when used for up to a couple of weeks, but learning good sleep hygiene  is the best longer-term approach to this problem.

A careful diagnosis to determine the cause of a sleep problem is the most important consideration. Many sleep problems are secondary to stress or other problems and treating the underlying condition is the best solution.

There are several types of medications used to help with sleep:

• Antihistamines, which are found in many cold preparations, can be purchased over the counter, and are very popular and minimally effective. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is one of the most common.
• Barbiturates are an older, less-safe class of medications no longer in frequent use.
• Benzodiazepines (as described in the anxiety section) such as Restoril (temazepam) and Dalmane (flurazepam) are very popular for short-term use with the same caveats about tolerance and addictive potential.
• Ambien (zolpidem) and Sonata (zaleplon) are newer medications that have become very popular and seem to be effective. Their long-term addictive potential is unclear at this time.
• Some of the antidepressants, particularly Desyryl (trazodone), seem to be effective sleep medications, but can have more side effects.

Key Points About Hypnotics and Sleep Medications

• Long-term use can cause one to develop tolerance and make the medication less effective.
• Some people experience "rebound" or difficulty sleeping when they stop taking a sleep medication.
• Some of the preparations are shorter acting (two hours) versus longer acting (eight hours), so it's important to choose a preparation that matches the symptoms. For example, if the problem is falling asleep, a shorter-­ acting preparation may be the more appropriate choice, whereas if the problem is waking intermittently through the night, a longer-acting preparation is ­ probably a better choice.
• Sleep medications often interact with other drugs, so the prescribing doctor must know about any other medication your child is taking.
• Sleep medications can affect cognitive function and memory.