According to the research, it may be used on an as-needed basis, with up to 5 times a weekControlled-release version Ambien CR may theoretically be more effective for sleep maintenance than regular Ambien, but might also lead to more pronounced next day hangover.Zaleplon (Sonata®) is the weakest of the sedative pills with ultra-short half-life of about 1 hour. Doxepin does not help with sleep initiation. However, the actual side effects than any person will experience are difficult to predict, and physicians typically wait and see how the person reacts to the drug. When insomnia is secondary to depression or anxiety, antidepressants may improve both conditions at the same time.Antidepressants that have a sedating effect may include side effects such as:Prescription sleeping pills (and even some nonprescription sleeping pills) as well as certain antidepressants may not be safe if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or an older adult. The risks and benefits of various prescription sleeping pills can differ. Ambien is a brand name for zolpidem. All rights reserved. If you're taking sleeping pills for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor about an appropriate follow-up schedule to discuss your medications. The only difference is the dosages. Always talk with your doctor before trying a new treatment for insomnia.Here's information on some of the most common types of prescription sleeping pills used today.Prescription sleeping pills may help you fall asleep easier or stay asleep longer — or both. Interesting post and discussion. Headache and grogginess are possible side effects. But there are times when the addition of prescription sleeping pills may help you get some much needed rest.All prescription sleeping pills have risks, especially for people with certain medical conditions, including liver or kidney disease. Sleeping pill use may increase the risk of nighttime falls and injury in older adults. And taking certain prescription sleeping pills can lead to drug abuse or drug dependence, so it's important to follow your doctor's advice.If your best attempts to get a good night's sleep have failed, prescription sleeping pills may be an option. The only difference is the dosages. All rights reserved. Sonata, Ambien, and Ativan may work better than Rozerem at treating insomnia. Doxepin may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). Doxepin = generic : Silenor and sinequan are both doxepin, the generic name for the medication. Although widely used, these are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for insomnia. It hasn't caused me any weight gain. Rozerem works by interacting with melatonin receptors in the brain. The drug may be taken at bedtime or later as long as the patient can sleep for at least 4 hours. Copyright © 2007-2020 eMedExpert.com. For long-term insomnia, behavior changes learned in behavioral therapy is usually the best treatment.If you're regularly having trouble either falling or staying asleep (insomnia), make an appointment with your doctor. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Because zaleplon is rapidly eliminated from the body it may be best for people who have difficulty falling asleep, but not for those who wake up often throughout the night.It works very quickly (within 10-20 minutes) and should be taken right before going to bed. Zolpidem is a hypnotic agent with a chemical structure unrelated to benzodiazepines.Many physicians consider zolpidem the best available hypnotic for short-term use when early awakening and cost are not problems.Regular Ambien is not approved for long-term use. It is especially effective for the treatment of insomnia caused by other antidepressantsStudies of people with various kinds of insomnia have found that main effect of trazodone on sleep architecture is an increase in slow-wave (stages 3 and 4) sleepAmitriptyline is commonly prescribed in low doses for insomnia.Doxepin has long been known to have significant sleep promoting effects. Here's some advice on how to use them safely.If you continue to have trouble sleeping, ask your doctor for additional help.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Trazodone is generally better tolerated in most people than Ambien because trazodone is not specifically designed to produce sedation. These medications work for 8 hours maximum. Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below study of more than 7,000 adults, high doses of these medications associated..., Ativan ( lorazepam ), and Rozerem ( ramelteon ) as Ambien CR other... 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