Are Sleeping Pills Safe?

[SuzE-Q]

Interesting article, what with the latest increase in warnings on them:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[Howie]

I use OTC sleep aids and have for years. The main ingredient is Diphenhydramine which is the fancy name for Benadryl. I use them every night, about 10 minutes before bedtime. Works great for me, and safer than any prescription sleeping pill.

[agate]

The article does say:

The authors of one Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... published in 2001 warned that “any agent used to induce sleep can result in a dependence on that agent to induce sleep,” potentially making it difficult to drift off without medication or requiring a higher dose to achieve the same effects. Some users may even experience withdrawal if they stop taking sleep drugs, Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register.... (Over-the-counter aids like Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...] and those containing diphenhydramine, like Benadryl, can come with similar risks, Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register.... This risk is particularly high for people who use sleeping pills every night, which further underscores that occasional use is preferable to nightly consumption.

And:

The Mayo Clinic also recommends not mixing alcohol with sleep drugs and only taking them just before a full night of sleep to reduce the risk of side effects and dangerous behavior.

"Dangerous behavior"? I don't think Howie is at risk of dangerous behavior but I can't speak for his cat...

Seriously, that drug sounds far less likely to be harmful than the kind the article is mainly discussing.

[Howie]

I always get three pills out at bedtime. Two for me and one for Sam.

[agate]

So if Sam is doing anything dangerous in her sleep you're too sound asleep to notice. I get the picture.

[Howie]

You know, I have found some deep scratches on me, but have no memory of how I got them!

[Lazarus]

I sleep best after nearly killing myself doing farm work. Just an idea but maybe planting vegetable gardens would work as well as pills!

[Virginia]

Linda, I expect if many of us could do that and had the land to do it, you are probably right. It is the hard work that does it I think.

[Sunshine]

Actually, Benadryl used like that on a daily basis has been implicated in early dementia...It’s why my cousin’s doc told her to stop that and gave her some Rx if she wanted a sleep aid.

[agate]

Howie, not to put too fine a point on it, but weren't you concerned a while back that you might be walking in your sleep? I believe that is one of the problems that can be caused by using sleeping aids like Benadryl over too long a time...

(I must have been in touch with my inner hen here. Sorry.)

[Cherie]

I use Benadryl only rarely now as it raises my BP. Maybe Howie that is one of the underlying causes of your high blood pressure. Does your doc (or NP) know about the long term benadryl use?

I have used prescription pills for decades. I do find that they are highly addictive and difficult to wean from with nasty side effects trying to do so. They also contribute to amnesia the next day about what I had done the prior evening. I now only use them very occasionally , generally while traveling, to ensure a good night's sleep if I am not able to drop off within a half hour of being in bed with lights out.