Insomnia medication and treatment online: consult with a top doctor today

Antidepressants

Amitriptyline and other antidepressants are commonly prescribed to treat insomnia, especially in people with depression. While it can take several weeks for its full effects to be felt, many people who have used amitriptyline report feeling more relaxed and able to get better sleep. Trazodone can help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night without feeling sleepy during the day. Mirtazapine can help reduce the duration of early, light stages of sleep so you can enjoy deeper sleep. Doxepin is generally considered safe for short-term use and may be prescribed to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, or both.

Others

Certain antipsychotic medications, such as Seroquel (quetiapine) and risperidone, can effectively treat insomnia. They can help you fall asleep faster, improve sleep quality, and reduce nighttime awakenings. Hydroxyzine is not usually a first-line treatment for insomnia due to the potential for side effects. However, if other medications have failed to treat your insomnia, you may benefit from hydroxyzine.

*Please note that our doctors cannot prescribe controlled substances for insomnia, including Xanax, Ambien, Lunesta, Belsomra, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, and lorazepam.

Your doctor will tell you how to take your prescription sleeping pills. It is essential to discuss any potential side effects with your doctor before taking any of these medications and to follow their advice on dosage and how to take them.

• Sleeping pills usually work quickly, which is why you should take them just before you go to bed. In most cases, you should experience the effects within 30 minutes to an hour.

• Taking sleeping pills on an empty stomach is usually a good idea. Eating food with the medication may cause heartburn and indigestion.

• Do not take sleeping pills before you drive or perform other tasks that require alertness.

• Be careful with certain types of sleep medicines if you have a history of drug dependence. These prescription drugs may cause a recurrence of your addictions. This can lead to dependence and even worsen the sleep difficulties you already experience.

• Do not take antidepressant sleeping pills if you already use medication to treat depression, unless you have discussed this with your doctor first.

• You should avoid using other medications that also have sedative effects.

• Avoid drinking caffeine or other substances that can keep you awake too close to your sleeping pill dose. This can affect your ability to get a full night's sleep.

• Avoid combining sleeping pills with alcohol.

Acute and chronic insomnia often share similar symptoms. For most people, insomnia symptoms affect nighttime sleep, which can lead to:

• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

• Waking up early in the morning

• Poor sleep quality

• Difficulty sleeping without a caregiver (for children and teens)

• Avoiding bedtime (for children and teens)

In addition, people with insomnia often experience several daytime symptoms due to their sleeping problems:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Fatigue and low energy

• Irritability or aggression

• Challenges with career or academic performance

• Decreased motivation

• Increased mistakes or accidents

Talk to one of our doctors if you're having trouble sleeping or staying asleep. Your doctor can ask questions to understand your situation, provide a diagnosis, and start treating insomnia. Insomnia symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other sleep disorders, so it's important to talk to a doctor for a proper diagnosis.