Approximately 9 million Americans 4 percent of adults in the U. In , following 20 reported deaths and 46 serious injuries caused by these drugs, the FDA mandated that certain sleep aid drugs include black-box warnings, which call attention to the serious risks of taking these drugs. These black-box warnings are now found on the packaging for eszopiclone Lunesta , zaleplon Sonata , and zolpidem Ambien.
However, that may not keep some people from abusing these sedatives. Sleeping pills are medications that are used to alleviate symptoms such as insomnia, nighttime restlessness, depression, or anxiety.
They work by interacting with certain neurotransmitters in the brain and suppressing the nervous system. Some sleeping pills are highly addictive and can cause tolerance and dependence. Sedative-hypnotic sleeping pills are not recommended for long-term use, as they can actually start to hinder sleep if they are used regularly for an extended period of time or cause withdrawal if a person suddenly tries to stop using them.
Sleeping pills can also cause negative side effects, even if they are used as directed. For example, sleeping pills can sometimes make people feel tired, drowsy, or groggy during the day.
They can also cause:. Taking too many sleeping pills at once or taking sleeping pills and alcohol simultaneously can cause a deadly overdose. Many sleeping pill overdose deaths may be accidental, but some are intentional suicides. If a person becomes severely depressed, he or she may abuse sleeping pills with other drugs to intentionally overdose. In , 47, Americans died by suicide and Alternatively, not all sleeping pill overdoses result in death. Many drug overdoses cause brain damage or physical injury that can leave a person dealing with painful side effects for hours or indefinitely.
Although the sleeping pills prescribed today are safer than some of the ones previously prescribed in the past, there is still a risk of overdose with very high doses of drugs like Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta, among others. If someone becomes addicted, he or she may have cravings for sleeping pills, be unable to ever fall asleep without them, take larger or more frequent doses than necessary, or keep taking sleeping pills despite the negative consequences.
Once a person becomes addicted to sleeping pills, he or she may experience moderate or severe withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut back. Sleeping pill withdrawal symptoms may include:. People often turn to sleeping pills because they are struggling with insomnia and are suffering physically and psychologically from a severe lack of sleep.
Doctors tend to prescribe sleeping pills to people who have severe sleeping disorders, but for many others with less severe sleeping problems, there are alternative treatment methods that are effective. Here are some healthy sleep tips from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine that may reduce or eliminate your need for sleeping pills:. There is no guarantee against overdose other than not taking the drug. However, if you communicate with your medical professionals and carefully follow all instructions, you face a very low risk.
As soon as you take more of the drug than recommended, taking it more frequently than prescribed, combine it with other substances, or use it without a prescription, you are abusing it. Drug abuse puts you at increased risk for serious health and life consequences including overdose. You are at risk of severe central nervous system depression, loss of consciousness and death. Zolpidem abuse is increasingly common.
An Ambien overdose causes extreme drowsiness, loss of motor coordination, unconsciousness, respiratory arrest, and death. When combined with alcohol or other sedatives, the risk of a fatal overdose is even greater. Any amount of Ambien is too much Ambien if you are also drinking or using other substances. Polydrug use also makes it harder to identify an emergency situation. You have to be able to think clearly to identify an overdose.
A zolpidem overdose requires immediate attention. Call emergency services or a national poison control hotline if you suspect someone has overdosed. If the person has stopped breathing or lost consciousness, call immediately.
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