What are the side effects of sleeping pills?

Mar 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
Hypnotics are medications primarily used to treat insomnia or mental anxiety. Common drugs include Estazolam tablets, Alprazolam tablets, Zolpidem tartrate tablets, etc. Their side effects include dizziness, fatigue, memory impairment, gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory depression, allergic reactions, and others. If hypnotics are needed, it is essential to strictly follow the doctor's instructions and take the medication according to the prescribed dosage and duration of treatment.

Generally, sleeping pills are primarily medications used to treat insomnia or mental anxiety. Common drugs include Estazolam tablets, Alprazolam tablets, Zolpidem Tartrate tablets, etc. Their side effects include dizziness and fatigue, memory impairment, gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory depression, allergic reactions, and others. It is recommended to follow medical advice when using these medications. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Dizziness and Fatigue

Sleeping pills may inhibit the central nervous system, affecting nerve transmission and muscle control, which can lead to symptoms of dizziness and weak limbs the following day, impacting normal activities and work efficiency. In severe cases, instability while standing may occur, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.

2. Memory Impairment

Sleeping pills act on brain nerve cells and may interfere with neurotransmitter transmission and synaptic plasticity, thus affecting the brain's ability to store and retrieve information, leading to memory decline.

3. Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Sleeping pills may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa or affect the neural regulatory function of the gastrointestinal tract, causing disturbances in gastrointestinal motility and secretion of digestive fluids, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach bloating, and diarrhea.

4. Respiratory Depression

An excessive dose of sleeping pills may overly suppress the activity of respiratory center neurons, reducing their sensitivity to stimuli such as carbon dioxide, leading to shallow and slow breathing or even respiratory arrest.

5. Allergic Reactions

Certain components in sleeping pills may be recognized as foreign antigens by the immune system of some individuals, triggering immune responses and releasing inflammatory mediators like histamine, resulting in allergic symptoms such as skin itching, rashes, and hives.

If sleeping pills need to be taken, it is essential to strictly follow the doctor's instructions, taking the medication in the prescribed dosage and for the specified duration. Do not adjust the dosage or take the medication continuously for a prolonged period on your own. Additionally, pay attention to your body's reactions, and seek medical attention promptly if any adverse symptoms occur.

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