Introduction
You will find it easy to purchase sleep supplements over the counter and needing a prescription from your doctor is not necessary. If you have problems sleeping, you will find that changing your lifestyle will be enough to restore sleeping patterns. The one thing you want to do is try to keep your sleeping patterns consistent. Wind down when it comes close to bedtime. If you find making simple changes are not enough, speak to your doctor about sleep aids.
History
Before taking any prescription sleeping supplements, speak to your doctor if you are on medication or if you are pregnant or there is a history of alcohol abuse. If these are some of the barriers, you will not be able to take sleeping tablets, but you will find a variety of other options that can help weigh the pros and the cons. Some of the options you can look at are zaleplon, triazolam, temazepan, and zolpidem.
There are many sleep supplements that come with side effects. However, not everybody will experience them. Some of the common side effects are headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, allergic reactions and facial swelling. Other side effects also include sleep walking, nausea, memory loss, anxiety, hallucinations and aggression. You will also find there are many sleep supplements that will react with alcohol and there are others that should not be taken with a meal that contains lots of fat.
Features
Doctors will also prescribe some patience with antidepressants. These are normally used to treat insomnia, as long as it is taken in low doses. If you suffer from both depression and insomnia, you will find this to be a solution. Trazodene, nortriptyline and amitriptyline are common drugs prescribed. Some of the side effects include headaches, dizziness, constipation, drowsiness, weight gain and blurred vision. So if you are taking these for the first time you may suffer from these symptoms. You do not need to panic as it is very common to have that nausea feeling. If the side effects however persist you will need to see your doctor as early as possible.
When you decide to buy over the counter sleep supplements, the pharmacist will give you doxylamine and diphenhydramine. The other thing you need to keep in mind is that these aids are not intended for long term use. Check with your doctor if you have glaucoma, enlarged prostate, peptic ulcer, heart problems, pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have any of these conditions do not take supplements without consulting your doctor.
Tips and comments
Sleep supplements must not be taken continuously for more than fourteen days without your doctor’s supervision. Some of the side effects can be life threatening and you do not want to put your life in danger because of something you can avoid. It is even wiser to let your doctor know that you are taking the supplements, especially if you are pregnant or suffer from some chronic disease. At the end of the day it is however important to note that sleep supplements can be quite helpful especially when you take the right dosage with the supervision of a medical doctor.
