Almost every person who suffers from insomnia for a long time begins to take drugs to combat it, but not everyone knows that it is possible to use sleeping pills without addiction. For some reason, many people think that the emergence of dependence on the background of the treatment of sleep disorders is inevitable. However, this is not at all the case. Sleeping pills are different, divided into several main groups. Among them there are those who are not addictive and are issued without a prescription. At the same time, they are in no way inferior to more serious drugs in terms of effectiveness in some people.

Everyone knows that when a person is tormented by insomnia, his performance is greatly reduced. He becomes irritable, feels overwhelmed. And how can someone who constantly wakes up feel great? It is obvious that in such a situation it is necessary to act.

But which sleeping pills should you take? Are medications needed at all in a particular situation? Under what phenomena caused by taking the drug, it should be immediately canceled? Answering these questions is sometimes not so easy. The most difficult of them can sometimes only be answered by a specialist dealing with sleep disorders.

Therefore, it is worth remembering the indications for the start of taking sleeping pills:

1. Persistent sleep disturbances lasting at least 28 days.
2. Insomnia due to emotional lability and autonomic disorders.
3. Sleep problems in persons with psychopathy and neuroses.
4. Insomnia leading to pronounced irritability, anxiety and nervous tension.

All known drugs for insomnia are divided into several main groups according to their composition and method of creation: made from plant materials, synthetic, combined and homeopathic.

According to the chemical structure, the following groups of hypnotics are distinguished: barbiturates, ethanolamine derivatives (donormil), benzodiazepines (nitrazepam) and so on.

Barbiturates (phenobarbital) are sleeping pills with many drawbacks. The sleep that occurs under their influence is different from normal: it is easier to fall asleep when taking them, but the ratio between the phases of REM and non-REM sleep is disturbed. Often, on the background of reception, nightmares are dreamed at night. Sometimes there is a paradoxical effect: instead of the desire to sleep (at night), taking the medicine provokes the excitation of the nervous system. When taking barbiturates in high doses, there may be a decrease in body temperature, a drop in blood pressure and respiratory failure. Due to the presence of all the above disadvantages, Phenobarbital is currently used extremely rarely.

It is believed that the safest are the pills for insomnia of plant origin. They do not cause dependence and are dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription. These include Novo-Passit, valerian extract, Persen and Neurostabil.

The most effective sleep pills are artificially synthesized. However, it is they who, when taken for a long time, can cause addiction and many other undesirable drug reactions.

These drugs can only be used as directed by a doctor. Anyone who drinks these drugs gets them by prescription. Their representatives are barbiturates (in particular Phenobarbital, which is rarely used at present), Benzodiazepines. Tranquilizers (Phenazepam and others) also have some hypnotic effect, and therefore can also be classified in this group. The most modern synthetic pills for insomnia: Zolpidem, Lunesta, Rozerem and Zaleplon.

What over-the-counter sleeping pills are currently sold in pharmacies? Everyone should know about this. After all, it is not always possible to see a doctor. How, then, to deal with insomnia without harming yourself? There is, of course, a way out. You can buy non-addictive herbal preparations at the pharmacy. But this, nevertheless, is a temporary measure, which does not cancel, but only postpones a visit to a specialist.

So, the following sleeping pills are relatively safe and affordable:

Sleeping pills of plant origin (including as part of combined preparations) are the most harmless and affordable among all drugs used for sleep disorders.

Most of them contain valerian extract. Among them are very cheap, but at the same time effective for insomnia (in some cases) drugs that will help you wake up infrequently at night.

The active substance (basic) in the composition of these drugs is not an extract from any plant. This is a special group of fairly effective sleeping pills, representing a kind of transition from herbal preparations to strong sleeping pills. Its representatives differ significantly from each other both in chemical structure and in mechanisms of action.

It includes:

• Melaxen (it contains an analogue of the human hormone melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles);
• Donormil (refers to sleeping pills with an antihistamine effect);
• Glycine (an amino acid involved in the regulation of inhibition processes in the central nervous system)

Taking Melaxen (cost not less than 500 rubles) leads to an improvement in falling asleep without disturbing the ratio of normal sleep phases, does not provoke the emergence of drug dependence and addiction. People who take it increase stress resistance, improve their well-being in the morning, after waking up (compared to what it was before the start of the reception). If you use this drug correctly, in accordance with the instructions for use, then the risk of side effects is minimal. Another advantage of this medicine is the absence of an increased risk of episodes of stopping breathing during sleep (sleep apnea). Also, while taking Melaxen, there is no decrease in memory and concentration.

Melaxen is an over-the-counter drug for the treatment of insomnia in the elderly. This is due to the fact that it compensates for the existing age-related deficiency of the sleep hormone (melatonin). Regulates circadian rhythms. Taking the drug helps to better adapt to the new daily routine when changing time zones.

If you use the drug in large doses, then the development of adverse reactions is possible: the appearance of headaches, increased irritability and redness of the skin of the face. When prescribing Melaxen, people with kidney damage, diabetes mellitus, lymphogranulomatosis, hormonal disorders and a history of allergies deserve special attention. It has a slight contraceptive effect, which must be taken into account in patients of reproductive age. The maximum dose that can be taken per day is two tablets.

Donormil (the drug Sonmil is similar to it) is a blocker of histamine receptors. It has a strong sedative effect. It is an M-cholinergic blocker. People who take it fall asleep easily (it shortens the process of falling asleep). Sleep becomes longer and better. The duration of action is from 6 to 8 hours. The drug is indicated primarily for transient sleep disorders. Forms of release - tablets (regular, as well as effervescent). Apply one tablet per day for 2-5 days.

Antihistamines are not addictive. This is their main advantage. However, they have many side effects. So, their reception may be accompanied by the appearance of dry mouth, daytime sleepiness and impaired concentration.

For this reason, they should not be used by persons whose activities require good concentration and very fast responses (for example, they are dangerous to use for those who drive a car). Therefore, drugs of this group cannot be considered the best of sleeping pills, despite their high efficiency.

Donormil should not be used during pregnancy. It can only be used after reaching the age of 15 years. With caution, they should be treated by those who have had an allergy to drugs. It is also contraindicated in congenital galactosemia, lactase deficiency, pathology of the liver and kidneys, and the presence of episodes of apnea. It is not suitable for those who have angle-closure glaucoma, elderly patients. It is undesirable to take it for more than five days (to prevent addiction). Side effects when taken can be: dry mouth, palpitations, rhabdomyolysis, manifested by an increase in the level of the enzyme creatine phosphokinase in the blood. Donormil is much cheaper than Melaxen (the minimum cost is about three hundred rubles). It is necessary to avoid alcohol intake during treatment with Donormil (ethanol enhances the sedative effect of the vast majority of histaminolytics).

Glycine can be used not only for sleep disorders. Available in the form of sublingual tablets. Due to absorption in the oral cavity, this drug does not undergo passage through the liver enzyme system. Even at high doses, it does not cause serious side effects. When treated, they improve memory. This drug is quite popular with neurologists. It is sometimes prescribed in the recovery period for patients who have had a stroke. It can be given to children. The effectiveness of glycine does not have a serious evidence base. The mechanism of its action is to eliminate the imbalance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic nervous systems. The price is about fifty rubles for 50 tablets.

There are also homeopathic remedies that are used for insomnia.

Hypnosed should be taken if insomnia occurs with migraines, increased nervousness and irritability. Take eight granules three to five times a day. Contraindications to the appointment have not been identified.

Reassurance should be taken if the process of falling asleep is significantly lengthened. It does a good job of eliminating nervous excitement. The composition of this homeopathic preparation includes valerian extract. Its minimum price is seventy rubles. Available in the form of tablets and granules.

Particular attention should be paid to those sleeping pills available in pharmacies without a prescription that can be used in children. After all, children also often suffer from insomnia. Sometimes its cause is obvious (for example, teething in babies). And in some cases, it can be easily dealt with. And by eliminating the cause, you can completely forget about disturbed sleep. But the reason is not always on the surface. In such a situation, it is acceptable to take certain drugs. We are talking about Glycine, Citral, "Bayu-Bai", Magna B6.

Glycine improves blood supply to the brain, has a slight sedative effect.

Citral is a sleeping pill that includes valerian, magnesia and motherwort.

Baju Bai are plant-based drops (motherwort, hawthorn, oregano and mint) that soothe a badly sleeping baby.

Magne B6 contains magnesium with pyridoxine (vitamin B6). It is recommended for use in minor sleep disorders.

There is also a sedative collection designed for children. It includes, among other things, lavender and licorice root.

All drugs included in this group are dispensed only by prescription. They (most of them) cause the development of addiction with a sufficiently long intake. Their main advantage is high efficiency.

Main representatives:

Zolpidem is a general purpose sleeping pill that speeds up the process of falling asleep without disturbing the normal sleep cycle. A person taking this drug will be able to get enough sleep, avoiding episodes of early and frequent night awakenings. Most often, the drug does not cause adverse reactions. However, with prolonged use, their development is possible. Moreover, the nervous and digestive systems are especially vulnerable. In such situations, headaches, weakness and drowsiness during the daytime are not uncommon. Contraindications to the start of treatment with Zolpidem are: pregnancy and lactation, episodes of sleep apnea in history, individual intolerance to the drug. The cost of this sleeping pill cannot be called low: it averages about 850 rubles.

Phenazepam is an anti-anxiety drug with a hypnotic effect. When taken, the quality of sleep improves significantly. It normalizes the functioning of the human nervous system. Contraindications to the appointment of Phenazepam, however, are more than enough. It often causes addiction. The most common unpleasant effects: daytime sleepiness, lethargy, disorientation in space. Allergic reactions, problems with the gastrointestinal tract are possible. This drug should be taken with caution and only if it has been prescribed by a doctor.

Sonnat is a drug that is one of the representatives of the third generation of hypnotics. The main substance in its composition (active) is zopiclone. This remedy for insomnia has a pronounced hypnotic, as well as a sedative effect. Against the background of treatment, they do not notice weakness and desire to sleep during the day. It does not lead to addiction. Sleep when taking it becomes much better. Those who are treated with it usually get rid of awakenings at night. The drug should not be used by pregnant and lactating women, in the presence of respiratory failure, as well as in case of its individual intolerance.

If we turn to reviews about sleeping pills, to those opinions of people who are on the Internet, we can identify a certain pattern: both positive and negative reviews can be found about almost every drug. Obviously, to some extent this is due to the fact that each specific case of insomnia in each person requires an individual approach.

A drug that works great for one person may not improve the condition of another. This may be due to completely different causes of insomnia in these people, as well as, for example, the characteristics of the metabolism of the drug in a particular person.

Also, no one, of course, has not canceled the presence of fakes on the drug market. I would also like to draw attention to the fact that inexpensive sleeping pills on herbs can be more effective than expensive drugs. It's not uncommon to hear comments like, "I've been on so many insomnia medications, but none of them worked for me. But then I started taking…” and so on. Insomnia is more common in women, so reviews from them are more common.