Pills for insomnia: a review of effective sleeping pills. Insomnia pills without prescriptions

Insomnia is accompanied by sleep disturbance (partial or complete).

Sleep may be interrupted due to frequent waking up or the person is unable to fall asleep.

In the morning he feels unrested and exhausted.

What you can drink for insomnia – we’ll look at pills and folk remedies in the article.

Often, insomnia is a symptom of a disease, so it is necessary to eliminate its cause. When treating insomnia, not only sleeping pills are prescribed, but also anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants. Basic principles of treatment:

identify the cause of insomnia and eliminate it;
normalize sleep and wakefulness;
treat existing disorders (psychotic and neurotic).

For the symptomatic treatment of insomnia, medications are prescribed that speed up falling asleep and eliminate frequent awakenings at night. The following are used as sleeping pills:

benzodiazepines (help you fall asleep quickly, but have a significant sedative effect: lethargy, drowsiness, lack of coordination);
barbiturates (have many side effects, prescribed in cases where the use of other means is ineffective);
Z-drugs (good for relieving sleep disorders, non-addictive, available with a prescription).

Insomnia pills

For insomnia, several groups of drugs are currently used:

sedatives;
antihistamines;
tranquilizers;
other.

Their improvement reduces the number of side effects and contraindications.

Somnologists advise using Z-group drugs (they have less side effects, no addiction). Before starting treatment, you need to consult a doctor.

Non-addictive drugs

To prevent medications from causing addiction, you should follow the recommendations for their use.

To get the result modern means do not require an increase in the therapeutic dose, relieve problems with falling asleep and eliminate awakenings at night. There are products available both with and without a prescription.

Over-the-counter products

You can buy sleeping pills without a doctor's prescription, the list of which is quite impressive. They are divided depending on the components into:

herbal (they contain natural ingredients and are the safest);
synthetic (solve the problem of insomnia and affect the mental state);
combined.

Over-the-counter sleeping pills:

Tablets for the elderly

Older people often need medications that help them fall asleep faster, but do not cause drowsiness, lethargy, or disruption of thinking processes during the day.

The choice is influenced by the type of insomnia:

for transient insomnia, herbal remedies are recommended;
in the case of severe - drugs that are quickly eliminated from the body, do not have the ability to accumulate, eliminating the possibility of overdose.

Plants - have an effect on nervous system calming effect, do night sleep quality. They are prescribed as a course, taken late in the evening, there is no addiction, side effects are minimal.
A combination of herbal components with synthetic ones - it is recommended to consult a doctor before use.
Prescription drugs - barbiturates, benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines.

According to experts, the most suitable are Zopiclone, Melaxen, Zolpidem. With their help, you can quickly fall asleep, are easily tolerated by the body, and with prolonged use, lethargy and drowsiness do not appear.

The simultaneous use of sedatives (herbal tea, infusions of medicinal herbs) helps to obtain better results.

What can pregnant women drink for insomnia?

Most medications are not recommended for use during pregnancy, so you should consult your doctor.

Antihistamines can relieve sleep problems, but they have side effects (drowsiness, effectiveness decreases after prolonged use).

Only a doctor can prescribe the drug.

Contraindications for use

Taking sleeping pills, such as barbiturates, can be addictive when a person is unable to fall asleep without them. Their use is contraindicated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea It is contraindicated for those suffering from respiratory pathologies.

Taking barbiturates in older people may have a stimulating effect instead of a sedative. Tablets belonging to the group of benzodiazepines are contraindicated for people driving vehicles.

The use of tinctures for insomnia is contraindicated for:

pregnancy and breastfeeding;
arterial hypotension;
diseases of the liver, heart and blood vessels.

Do you experience occasional attacks of dizziness? Then the following article will be useful for you: . Selection folk remedies to combat vertigo and prevention methods.

Folk remedies for insomnia

What to drink for insomnia from drugs traditional medicine? The remedies used in folk medicine for insomnia are based on a calming effect and help you fall asleep faster.

They have a mild effect, so taking them for a long time is required to achieve results. Main methods of treatment:

Herb tea;
herbal infusions;
herbal tinctures;
relaxing baths;
other means.

What herbs to drink for insomnia? Herb tea includes herbs that have a calming effect. They have a relaxing effect on the nervous system (which helps you fall asleep faster) and make you sleep more soundly. Brew 1 tsp with a glass of boiling water. herbs, stand for 20 minutes. For this tea use:

chamomile;
motherwort;
St. John's wort;
lavender;
mint;
valerian;
passionflower.

Herbal teas include 3 – 6 components:

Name of herbs	Quantity (g)	Mode of application
Swamp dry grass Motherwort Valerian	30	The collection (1 tbsp) is brewed with a glass of boiling water and boiled for a quarter of an hour. Drink 2 tbsp daily. l x 4 times.
Caraway Chamomile Valerian	50 30 20	The collection (1 tablespoon) is brewed with boiling water (1 cup), boiled for a quarter of an hour. Drink ½ glass daily. twice.
Bird's knotweed Horsetail Hawthorn flowers	15 10 25	The collection (2 tbsp.) is poured with a glass of boiling water, placed for a quarter of an hour. water bath. Drink ½ glass daily. x 3 times.
Chamomile Valerian Mint Lavender	50 30 20 20	The collection (2 tablespoons) is brewed with a glass of boiling water and boiled for a quarter of an hour. Drink 1 glass daily.

Tinctures used for insomnia can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently.

The most common tinctures:

valerian;
lily of the valley;
motherwort.

20 drops of tincture are added to 50 ml of water, taken 4 times daily. Do not exceed the permissible daily dose of 90 drops.

A bath taken before bed helps relieve muscle tension, fatigue, allows you to fall asleep faster.

dim lighting, calm music;
water temperature no more than 37 degrees;
taking baths every other day;
after dinner you should take a bath 2 hours later, before bedtime - 30 minutes;
The duration of the procedure is about 30 minutes.

Adding to the bath essential oil or infusions of medicinal herbs enhance the relaxing effect. Have a relaxing effect:

hop cones;
chamomile;
lavender;
valerian root;
Melissa.

Other methods that accelerate action in the treatment of insomnia are recommended:

steamed herbs are applied to the forehead);
foot baths (with warm water, to which table salt has been added);
using techniques to fall asleep quickly.

To get rid of insomnia, you need to consult a doctor to identify the cause and eliminate the sleep disorder.

In addition to using medications for insomnia, it is recommended to avoid bad habits, review your diet and daily routine.

Video on the topic

Sleep disturbance significantly affects the usual quality of life. Deterioration in mental performance, chronic fatigue and physical weakness have a negative impact on the ability to concentrate. In order to solve the problem of insomnia, you should go through comprehensive examination body. However, most people do not always have the opportunity to visit a clinic. It is this factor that makes one wonder what medications for insomnia are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. In this article, we will look at potent sleep medications that are commercially available.

The most powerful sleeping pills are limited release drugs

It is quite easy to purchase sleeping pills at the pharmacy, but most over-the-counter medications are ineffective. Potent medications from the category of antidepressants, antipsychotics, barbiturates and tranquilizers can only be purchased by first visiting a specialist. The above groups of medications not only have a pronounced effect on the body, but also a lot of side effects. In addition, long-term use of such products can negatively affect the condition. nervous system and brain activity. Using similar drugs, a person should know about possible risks for his health.

The main difference between over-the-counter medications and stronger drugs is the minimal number of side effects. Medicines from this group are manufactured in various dosage forms, except for solutions for injection. Most often this category medications It is supplied to the market in the form of tablets, drops, solutions or herbal preparations. It is important to note that even potent drugs that are available without a prescription have a gentler effect on the body compared to tranquilizers and antipsychotics. In addition, experts note the following advantages of this category of sleeping pills:

positive effect on sleep duration and quality;
decreased excitation of the central nervous system and a sedative effect;
no direct effect on sleep phases;
lack of addictive effect;
minimal number of side effects and contraindications;
the possibility of both single use and long-term use.

The most effective medications for insomnia

IN this list included the most effective drugs to combat sleep disorders, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Among the abundance of various pharmaceutical products presented in pharmacies, experts highlight the drug “Sonylux”. This medicine is produced by a domestic manufacturer and is made on the basis of natural ingredients. The drug contains no harmful synthetic elements, which makes it possible to use “Sonylux” even for the treatment of insomnia in children. Completing a course of treatment allows you to normalize the quality of sleep, eliminate aggression and anxiety, and also get rid of the feeling of fatigue.

The easiest way to quickly and soundly fall asleep if you have insomnia is to take sleeping pills

The drug "Sonylux" is based on a whole group active ingredients, each of which has its own unique characteristics. Gaba Alishan helps lower blood sugar levels, normalize blood circulation and the functionality of the nervous system. Lofant extract, in addition to its general strengthening properties, has positive influence on arterial pressure, slows down the rate of aging of the body and eliminates bacteria. Castoreum prevents the appearance muscle spasms and has a sedative effect on the body. As additional components a herbal mixture is used, which includes more than thirty items. The action of the collection is aimed at reducing excitement of the nervous system and eliminating feelings of anxiety.

DreamZzz - drops based on herbs without addiction, which allows you to use the medicine for a long period of time. It should be noted that this drug has no contraindications for use, which makes it the optimal choice for the treatment of insomnia in children and the elderly. Completing the full course of therapy allows you to speed up falling asleep and normalize sleep quality. In addition, the composition of the drug has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the central nervous system and heart muscle. In addition to all of the above, DreamZzz prevents the development of cardiovascular vascular diseases.

Restox is a sleeping pill developed by the American chemist T. Wilkinson. During his years scientific activity, this outstanding scientist has created many medicines based only on natural ingredients. Decoding the scientist's notes has significantly advanced the level of modern medicine. Taking Restox helps get rid of snoring, waking up at night and sleep apnea. This effect is achieved thanks to components such as marshmallow, agave, aralia and eleutherococcus.

Potent Pharmaceutical Products

Insomnia medications are available on the pharmaceutical market in a wide range. This type of medicine has three types of effects: weak, medium and strong. pronounced effect. The last category includes medications that have complex action on the body. The use of medications can speed up falling asleep and get rid of sudden awakenings at night. This list of sleeping pills includes only two drugs that are currently available over-the-counter.

"Melaxen" is a medicine containing melatonin, which is an analogue of the hormones responsible for normal sleep. The principle of operation of the product in question is quite simple. Replenishing missing hormones allows you to gain control over biological rhythms, which is reflected in the speed of falling asleep. In addition, the drug reduces stimulation of the nervous system and has an organic effect on the body.

Any sleep disorders have the most negative impact on well-being and significantly reduce the quality of life

It is important to note that the drug in question does not affect sleep phases, so doctors allow the possibility of its long-term use. No addictive effect and negative impact on the ability to concentrate makes this drug one of best representatives of your group. Thanks to this feature, the drug can be used both when driving a vehicle and during other actions that require maximum composure.

Experts recommend starting a course of treatment with minimum dosage. In the first days of use, it is recommended to take the drug in an amount of three milligrams several hours before bedtime. In the absence of positive dynamics, a gradual increase in dosage is allowed. The average duration of therapy varies from fifteen to twenty days. Among the disadvantages of this remedy, the risk of developing an allergic reaction and the appearance of edema should be emphasized. It is not recommended to use the medicine to treat insomnia in children, as well as in the presence of liver dysfunction or autoimmune diseases.

"Donormil" is a drug for improving sleep in adults, based on doxylamine succinate."Donormil" has a persistent effect and begins to affect the body after a short time after reception. Despite the fact that the composition of the medication is depressing histamine receptors, it is not recommended to use Donormil in the fight against allergies. Most often, this drug is prescribed for a single dose in order to eliminate chronic fatigue syndrome and relieve nervous tension. Due to the fact that this drug is produced in the form of effervescent tablets, the dosage regimen is greatly simplified.

Minimum dose this tool is exactly half a tablet, which should be dissolved in one hundred milligrams of water. It is best to take the medicine a few hours before bedtime. The maximum daily dose is two tablets taken at a time. The average duration of therapy is from five to ten days. Among the disadvantages of this remedy, one should highlight the high risk of feeling drowsy during the day, dry mouth and problems associated with concentration.

Important! Strong tablets for insomnia without prescriptions, it is not recommended to use during pregnancy, lactation, or in the presence of diseases that impair the functioning of internal organs.

The main danger of long-term insomnia is increased risk cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the brain, nervous and endocrine systems

Preparations based on medicinal herbs

Many sleeping pills are made from medicinal herbs in order to minimize the number of side effects. In addition to this feature, such pharmaceutical products are not addictive and have affordable price. But it is important to remember that the use of such products can cause an allergic reaction to the bioactive components contained in the composition. Let's look at natural sleeping pills, which are made based on medicinal herbal extracts:

Peony alcohol tincture. This tincture is used to normalize the functioning of the central nervous system, increase resistance to stress and eliminate anxiety. Thanks to its complex effect on the body, the medication not only normalizes sleep, but also eliminates chronic fatigue. The average duration of taking the tincture is about ten days. The infusion should be used thirty drops, three times a day. The tincture should be used with caution due to high content alcohol
Valerian- evening sleep pills without prescriptions, which have the ability to normalize your routine and relieve nervous tension. The peculiarity of this medicine is that the main components accumulate in the body, which increases the effect of the medicine. You can get lasting results with this pharmaceutical product only with regular use.
Motherwort infusion– thanks to its calming and relaxing effect, this infusion normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, which has a beneficial effect on the quality of sleep. Like the previous remedy, motherwort tincture allows you to achieve a lasting effect only with regular use. According to medical data, the highest effectiveness is achieved ten days after the start of treatment. The tincture contains ethanol, therefore, its use should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, motherwort is not recommended for young children and people suffering from alcohol addiction.
Melissa– the extract of this plant is endowed with a pronounced sedative effect, which allows you to speed up falling asleep and eliminate problems associated with frequent waking up. This medicine is sold in the form of tea bags, which are brewed in boiling water. It is recommended to take the medicine after dinner, a few hours before bedtime.

Drugs with hypnotic effect will help you get it back deep sleep, but should be taken carefully

Combined medications

The combination medicine contains both synthetic and herbal components. Most often, several ingredients are used as active elements, each having a different spectrum of therapeutic effects. Having chosen this category of pharmaceutical products, carefully read their advantages and disadvantages.

“Corvalol” and “Valocardin”, the active components of these drugs are phenobarbital and valerian. The use of these funds allows you to relieve the tone of muscle tissue and normalize the functioning of internal systems. Experts note the high effectiveness of the above remedies in the fight against various diseases nervous system, stress, insomnia and neurotic pathologies.

To date, these drugs are the only drugs containing phonobarbital that are available without a doctor's prescription. Among the disadvantages of these medications in question, one should highlight the sharp characteristic odor and the prohibition of use during breastfeeding.

Pills for insomnia are very diverse. Medicines are presented in the pharmacy chain in a wide range. These are “light” drugs, not addictive, containing natural ingredients and available without a doctor's prescription. Sleeping pills, which have a more pronounced hypnotic effect, but are also available without a doctor’s prescription.

And strong drugs that are used in severe cases insomnia, when easier remedies do not cope with the patient’s sleep disturbance. Such drugs are prescribed only by a doctor and purchased at a pharmacy with a prescription. The dose and course of treatment for insomnia is determined by the doctor, who observes the patient and changes medications if necessary.

Tablets for insomnia and sleeping pills available in the pharmacy chain are conventionally divided into drugs containing certain components:

A separate group of non-medicinal drugs that have a mild hypnotic effect is presented:

herbs and herbs according to traditional medicine recipes;
homeopathic remedies.

Mechanism of action of sleeping pills

Actions of sleeping pills medicinal substances, conditionally divided into periods:

Short – in this case, the drugs act as a depressant on excitation, that is, they reduce the threshold of excitation of the nervous system. Medicines with this period of action are suitable for patients who have trouble falling asleep.
Medium – drugs of this period of action simultaneously affect the processes of both excitation and inhibition. This type of sleeping pill is suitable for patients with intrasomnia, when the depth of sleep suffers.
Long-term action – drugs of this group have a more pronounced effect on processes in the central nervous system. In this case, drugs of this period of action are suitable for patients with postsomnia, when there is a violation sleep in the form of early awakening.

May be short-term, after stress or overwork. As a rule, to a greater extent, sleep problems resolve on their own. To do this, just adjust your daily routine and limit watching TV and playing games on the computer. But, if the sleep disturbance lasts more than four weeks, then insomnia occurs.

Pathological insomnia disorders

The following disorders are distinguished in the structure of insomnia:

With such a sleep pathology, there is a need for treatment with special drugs in order to normalize the patient’s night rest. Any hypnotic medications, acting on the central nervous system, contribute to the activation of inhibition processes and suppression of excitation. Some drugs act to a greater extent on more active inhibition, while in others the predominant effect is the phenomenon of inhibition of excitation.

Indications for the use of sleeping pills

Sleep disturbance is always a big problem for a person, since not only physical health suffers, but also psychological background. Only a doctor can determine the need to use sleeping pills. Depending on the objective data, he determines a specific sleeping pill and course of treatment, with a mandatory re-consultation after the end of treatment.

The main indications for prescribing drugs that restore disturbed night sleep are:

As a rule, treatment of night sleep disorders begins with mild medications that have a positive effect on the nervous system and restore the disturbed sleep phase. Sleeping pills are prescribed, which can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription.

Over-the-counter sleeping pills

Tablets for insomnia, available without a doctor's prescription, have a mild, but more powerful effect, and, in comparison with herbal preparations, the therapeutic effect of which is more pronounced and, at the same time, is not addictive. The most popular drugs are the following:

Melaxen

A sleeping pill of synthetic origin, which is an analogue of natural melatonin, which is responsible in the body for the change between sleep and wakefulness. promotes a quick transition to sleep and does not disrupt sleep phases. After using the drug, sleep becomes complete and of high quality. The drug does not accumulate in the body due to its rapid elimination.

It is not addictive and has no side effects. But the use of the product with caution is indicated for persons with a tendency to allergic reactions. This drug indicated for older people as a means of replenishing the lack of natural melatonin, due to age-related changes in the central nervous system, responsible for regulating sleep phases. Successfully eliminates sleep disorders.

The tablets are taken according to the instructions for no more than three weeks.

An analogue is the drug, and active principle– doxylamine. This drug was previously used as antihistamine, blocking the manifestation of allergy symptoms. But, having the properties of a powerful sedative effect, it helps to quickly fall asleep and good quality of sleep.

It is not addictive, but has side effects. When using the drug, it is noted daytime sleepiness, decreased concentration, dry oral mucosa.

Contraindicated for use in patients whose profession is related to concentration, patients suffering from chronic diseases liver, kidneys, patients with glaucoma and the elderly. Pregnancy is also a contraindication for taking Donormil.

Atarax

It not only has a hypnotic effect, but also contains ingredients that have a relaxing effect on smooth muscles. This combined effect of the drug allows its use for patients with accompanying illnesses accompanied by spasm of smooth muscles (radiculitis, gastritis).

Herbal remedies

These are light medicinal preparations that contain environmentally friendly herbs that give positive effect at mild degree disruption of night sleep without causing a negative reaction from internal organs.

Valerian tablets

A drug based on natural raw materials and having a mild sedative and hypnotic effect. Indicated for sleep disorders in patients whose sleep mechanism is affected due to stressful conditions. The drug has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart muscle. Does not cause side effects and does not develop addiction. It restores night sleep well, but the use of the drug is indicated for a long time.

Available in the form alcohol tincture, filter - bags for preparing infusion. In addition to oral administration, the tincture can be used in the form of aromatherapy, inhaling its vapors before going to bed. The combined use of valerian tablets internally and inhalation of its aroma gives good effect in the treatment of insomnia.

Motherwort

A herbal remedy, used in the form of an alcohol tincture or a decoction of dry raw materials. It has the property of inhibiting the processes of excitation of the central nervous system, having a sedative effect on it. In addition, it helps lower blood pressure, therefore it is a drug that is indicated for hypertensive patients, especially the elderly.

Dormiplant

Preparation based on herbal ingredients , which contains valerian root and lemon balm leaf extract. The combination of these two components gives a pronounced sedative effect. Helps you fall asleep quickly and normalizes sleep. Does not affect concentration and does not cause drowsiness daytime.

Persen

It is an analogue of Dormiplant, but in its composition it contains, in addition to valerian root and lemon balm, peppermint leaves. Is soft sedative, which not only has a hypnotic effect, but also has an antispasmodic effect.

This drug belongs to the biological active additives. This is a remedy for insomnia, which contains natural ingredients such as valerian and passionflower. The product has a mild effect, relieves tension and irritability. Morning awakening is light and cheerful. Patient reviews are only positive. Restores night's sleep well.

In addition to light sleeping pills sold without a prescription, there are drugs in the pharmacy chain that can also be purchased without a prescription, but the composition of these medications has a more strong effect on the central nervous system.

All of these tablets, tinctures for insomnia, are available for purchase without a prescription. But, in any case, a consultation with a doctor is required, on whose recommendation a particular drug is taken. Self-medication, in this case, is unacceptable.

Sleeping pills by prescription

In some cases, when it is not possible to cope with insomnia with the help of mild drugs that give a sedative and hypnotic effect, they resort to more strong drugs, which are prescribed by a doctor and can only be purchased with a prescription. The peculiarity of these drugs is that with prolonged or uncontrolled use, dependence on these medications develops.

Currently, there are three generations of drugs that have a strong calming effect and eliminate insomnia:

barbiturates containing barbituric acid, chloral hydrate and antihistamines, which give a pronounced sedative effect;
benzodiazepine hypnotics;
non-benzodiazepine hypnotics – zopiclone, zolpidem, zaleplon.

These potent drugs can quickly restore sleep disturbances at night. But, due to the occurrence of a number of side effects, addiction and the development of withdrawal syndrome, with irrational use of these dream books, the prescription and necessary course of treatment is carried out only by a doctor.

Barbiturates

A drug in this group, phenobarbital, acts at the cellular level on the central nervous system and suppresses excitation processes in the brain. The hypnotic effect of this drug is very pronounced, and its effect causes sleep, similar to a narcotic state.

Has side effects when used, such as, headache, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, slowed heart rate, gastrointestinal reaction in the form of nausea, vomiting, intestinal dysfunction. An overdose of a drug is emergency condition patient when immediate assistance is required.

Benzodiazepines

This group of drugs - nitrazepam, midazolam, act, like the group of barbiturates, on the nervous system, but more gently. The effect of treating insomnia depends on the dose of the drug. In small quantities, the tablets have a sedative effect and relieve anxiety. To normalize sleep, the dose of the drug must be increased. It has a number of side effects and contraindications for use.

Non-benzodiazepines

These drugs - zopiclone, zolpidem, zaleplon - are modern sleeping pills that are highly effective in achieving a hypnotic effect and have a small list of contraindications. Due to rapid elimination from the body, data medications most effective for sleep disorders.

After using the tablets, there are no side effects during the daytime, and the patient feels normal. These are the main pills for insomnia.

The course of treatment for all sleeping pills is no more than three weeks. The last group of strong sleeping pills is currently the most effective and safest. But the presence of various side effects and addiction make these medications available only with a doctor’s prescription and are used to treat chronic insomnia.

Buying sleep pills without a prescription today is not a problem – there is quite a wide choice. Some drugs have mild sleeping pill effect, others have an additional antispasmodic effect, lower blood pressure, and calm the heartbeat. How to choose the right drug and not harm your health?

Who needs sleep pills

Healthy sleep– the key to high performance and vigor. However, stress, anxiety, and anxiety affect the quality of sleep, reduce its length and depth, and lead to nightmares. Modern drugs, normalizing sleep, have the following indications:

insomnia, problems falling asleep;
shallow sleep with frequent awakenings;
anxiety, panic attacks, fear;
emotional imbalance, irritability

Moreover, the symptoms should be more or less permanent: problems with falling asleep are not one-time, but cause discomfort for several weeks, sleep becomes sensitive, a person wakes up from the slightest rustle or without any sound at all. apparent reason. During the day he becomes nervous, irritable, feels constant fatigue, decreased performance, apathy.

Classification of sleep medications

First of all, you should pay attention to non-addictive drugs, those the refusal of which will not lead to the development of withdrawal syndrome.

Herbal medicines are herbal based; taking them before bedtime calms the nervous system, inhibits the processes occurring in it, relieves agitation, and reduces the heart rate. This group includes sedatives:

valerian extract in tablets and drops;
preparations based on motherwort;
multicomponent medicines combining extracts of several plants (valerian, hops, motherwort, peony)

Preparations based on chemical compounds

List of “evening” drugs

Melatonin

The drug, named after the sleep hormone, is positioned as a sleep aid. wide range actions.

Melatonin, the night hormone, is synthesized by the pineal gland in the absence of light, whether daylight or artificial. The peak of melatonin synthesis occurs in the first half of the night. Doctors attribute problems with falling asleep and sleep disturbances to insufficient darkening of rooms: street light, flickering gadget screens lead to a decrease in hormone levels.

One way to solve the problem is to take an artificially synthesized hormone. Melatonin is indicated for:

insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, shallow light sleep;
disruptions of biological rhythms, frequent changes of time zones.

In addition, the drug is indicated, especially for older people, to stimulate immune system, prevention of hypertension and cancerous tumors. Melatonin tablets have an antioxidant effect and relieve PMS symptoms.

It is enough for an adult to take the medicine once a day, just before bedtime, 1-2 tablets.

Melaxen is an analogue of melatonin. Both drugs are non-addictive and well tolerated by the body; contraindications include: childhood up to 12 years old. Simultaneous use with sleeping pills, sedatives enhances the effect of the latter; it is not recommended to combine it with cyclosporines and glucocorticoids.

Donormil

Effervescent tablets Donormil are intended for the treatment of insomnia. The drug is based on doxylamine succinate. Daily dose is ½ -1 tablet per day, before bed, about half an hour before bedtime. The duration of the course is no more than 5 days.

In the list of contraindications:

increased sensitivity to the components of the drug;
angle-closure glaucoma (history);
tendency to urinary retention, swelling;
lactation;
children's age (up to 15 years)

Pregnant women should take the drug with caution, under the supervision of a doctor. For drivers, Donormil, as well as other drugs with similar effects, is on the list of medications taken with caution, as drowsiness and decreased attention may occur. Donormil cannot be taken with other sedatives.

Evalar Sleep Formula

The drug for plant based, which has a cumulative effect. The phytocomplex includes motherwort, hops, and eschscholzia, which provide a sedative effect, relieve nervous tension, and increased excitability. The complex is enhanced with B vitamins and magnesium.

The drug is not addictive; it must be taken in courses of an average duration of 3 weeks each several times a year. Children over 1 year old and adults are recommended to take 2 tablets 20-30 minutes before bedtime.

Novo – Passit

Herbal preparation (valerian, lemon balm, elderberry, passionflower, St. John's wort, hawthorn, hops, guaifenzin). Available in tablet and syrup form.

Combined herbal preparation with a pronounced sedative effect. Guaifenzine has an additional anti-anxiety effect, which in total allows the drug to be used for the treatment of sleep disorders.

Advantages: has a quick effect. For insomnia disorders, it is recommended to use syrup, which acts even faster. The drug can be used without a course of treatment: the effect of the first dose is quite pronounced.

Flaws:

Daytime drowsiness and a feeling of depression may develop, especially with an overdose.
Contraindicated for children.
Not recommended for use in patients with chronic alcoholism.

From reviews of Novo-Passit: “ It is very good that the drug is of natural origin. A pleasant surprise was that in addition to improving sleep, Novo-Passit helped eliminate anxiety, some kind of nervousness, and alleviated headaches caused by sitting at the computer.”

Persen–Forte

Combination drug(melissa, mint, valerian).

The drug has a mild sedative and hypnotic effect, insomnia is mentioned in the indications. Has a mild antispasmodic effect. Unlike Novo-Passit, it does not contain guaifenzine, and unlike Corvalol, it does not have an intrusive odor.

Advantages: The “night” variety of Persen is specially designed for night use. It helps well to fall asleep if insomnia is caused by nervous excitability, that is, a changed mood background.

Flaws: there is no liquid dosage form. Usually the liquid form has the desired effect faster. The drug is not recommended for people with biliary tract diseases, as well as for children under 12 years of age. Long-term use may cause constipation.

From reviews of Persen: “ It seems to me that only a course of treatment has a good effect, and a one-time dose does not improve sleep. But if you drink it for at least a week, your mood becomes even and it becomes easier to fall asleep.”

Corvalol (Valocordin)

Contains phenobarbital (tablets - 7.5 mg, 1.826 g per 100 ml).

Corvalol (valocordin) is the only over-the-counter drug containing the barbiturate phenobarbital. This immediately puts this drug on a par with more serious competitors, and its low cost makes it very attractive to a wide segment of the population. It is recommended to take from 10 to 40 drops per dose.

Advantages: the drug has a characteristic odor; valerian and mint potentiate the effect of phenobarbital. Can be used as a distraction for pain in the heart area instead of validol; drops can be used in different, individual dosages. The drug has a mild antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of internal organs and is indicated for tachycardia (palpitations) and psychomotor agitation.

From reviews: “ Corvalol is the best sleeping pill. I've been taking it my whole life. Both my mother and my grandmother. In addition to helping with insomnia and palpitations, I apply it on my face in the summer - the medicine wonderfully repels mosquitoes, and does not contain terrible chemicals. A solid five!”

Sleeping pills for children

For a child under 12-14 years of age, medications, even those sold in pharmacies without a prescription, are prescribed with great caution. Pediatricians recommend paying attention to your daily routine, nutrition and physical exercise:

do not feed your baby heavy food before bedtime fatty foods;
ventilate the bedroom, maintain a temperature of 18-20 0 C and optimal air humidity;
exclude physical activity, outdoor games 3-4 hours before bedtime, replacing them with quiet walks on fresh air;
For children with increased nervous excitability, warm baths are recommended before bed; pine extract or a few drops of fir, juniper, and citrus essential oils can be added to the water;
Cartoons and computer games are also not advisable in the afternoon.

If necessary, you can give the child either in tablets, choosing safe dosage on the recommendation of a doctor.

Potent drugs sleep-inducing, for example, phenazepam, are available in pharmacies with a doctor's prescription. This is due to the presence of a large number of contraindications, restrictions and possible side effects. Some of them are highly addictive, others can accumulate in the body and cause intoxication if taken incorrectly. The advisability of prescribing such medications should be assessed by a specialist.

Insomnia pills are an important treatment option for this type of sleep disorder, used to correct both short-term disturbances in nighttime rest and chronic disorders. There is a large selection of medicines on the pharmaceutical market that have their own characteristics of purpose and effect on the human body. Medicines can be of both synthetic and natural origin, and also contain analogues various hormones. In this regard, it is important to note that any therapeutic drugs to combat insomnia and other types of insomnia should be prescribed only by a doctor, taking into account all indications and contraindications for their use.

Only a doctor can choose an effective remedy for insomnia

Use of Medicines

Prolonged lack of sleep leads to the appearance of various symptoms: memory decreases, fatigue sets in quickly, an adult or child becomes irritable and sad. All these are consequences negative influence insomnia on the brain, which can lead to a significant decrease in the level of memory and thinking, as in dementia. Situation chronic lack of sleep This is not the only thing that is dangerous. People with a lack of sleep develop disturbances in the functioning of various body systems: cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, etc., which can cause serious diseases.

The use of medications that have a hypnotic effect for insomnia is carried out only in certain clinical cases.

In this regard, the fight against insomnia should be comprehensive, including the use of drugs to improve sleep. Such medications have different chemical structures and origins, however, they have a similar effect on the central nervous system, allowing them to normalize sleep. Their appointment is possible in the following situations:

Sleep disturbance that persists in the patient for more than one month and occurs regularly.

Woman suffering from insomnia

Insomnia caused by a disorder of the autonomic nervous system or mood disorders.
Sleep disturbances in mental and psychopathic disorders.
High level anxiety, mental stress, irritability in an adult or child.

In these situations, over-the-counter or prescription sleep medications can significantly improve the quality of sleep and life by eliminating problems with resting during the night.

Insomnia medications

Sleep medications are conventionally classified into one of four groups, which differ from each other in the source of the active ingredient, as well as in the composition:

tablets with natural, herbal ingredients;
preparations with synthetic active ingredients;
combination medications containing both herbal and synthetic components;
homeopathic sleeping pills, which most doctors are skeptical about.

Homeopathic granules

Besides, great importance restoring sleep involves hygiene of nighttime rest and wakefulness, as well as the possibility of using traditional medicine methods that allow a person to cope with anxiety and calm the nervous system.

Traditional medicine and lifestyle changes

Before using drugs for insomnia, patients with sleep disorders are always advised to change their lifestyle, ensuring good rest and recovery periods. Doctors give the following recommendations.

Create and stick to a sleep/wake schedule by setting a time to go to bed and a time to get up. It is important to follow a similar regime, both on weekdays and weekends.
Normalize your diet by eliminating meals later than 3-4 hours before bedtime.
Before resting at night, ventilate the room and take a short walk in the fresh air, providing the brain with oxygen.
1-2 hours before bedtime, avoid watching TV shows, playing on the computer and any other activity that increases the level of wakefulness.
Avoid drinking drinks containing caffeine (coffee, strong tea, energy drinks, etc.).

For mild sleep disorders, lifestyle changes have a beneficial effect in patients of any age without the use of insomnia medications.

Traditional medicine methods, most often based on the use of drinks with lemon and honey before bed or in the morning, are not widely used in medicine. This is due to the fact that such products do not have proven effectiveness and safety of use.

Herbal preparations

The next stage of normalizing sleep in patients with sleep disorders is the use of medications with herbal components. They make it possible to treat insomnia without the risk of serious side effects in most patients. Such medications are available without a prescription and have a sedative effect. The following tablets can be used:

Biolan;
Valemedin;
Neurostable;
Dormiplant;
Ortho-taurine, etc.

One of the most popular drugs for restoring sleep with a herbal component is Ortho-taurine, which contains taurine, succinic acid, a number of vitamins and magnesium ions. This composition allows you to normalize night rest and cope with insomnia, subject to a course approach to therapy. The duration of one course varies from one week to a month, depending on the individual patient.

Biolan is another herbal remedy for insomnia, tablets of which can be used by adults and children. However, it should not be taken by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This medication contains a number of amino acids and peptides that can improve brain function.

Phytocomplex with a mild sedative effect

A new herbal preparation with high efficiency - Neurostabil, containing extracts of several plants and B vitamins. It is also used in the form of courses of various durations.

It is important to note that although these types of insomnia medications can be used without a doctor's prescription, it is very important to visit a doctor. Only a specialist can identify the real reason occurrence of sleep disorders and select optimal pharmacotherapy.

Separately, it is worth mentioning homeopathy, which is very often prescribed for sleep disorders. There are a large number of homeopathic remedies, which, according to the manufacturer, can normalize the functioning of the nervous system and improve sleep in patients of any age. The most popular tablets are: Arnica, Passionflower, Sulfur, etc. The use of homeopathy is always questionable due to the fact that such therapies do not have evidence of their effectiveness and safety.

The use of neurohormones for the treatment of insomnia

Neurohormones - class medicines based on melatonin (not to be confused with melanin), which can effectively combat insomnia in patients. This hormone is normal and regulates the sleep-wake cycle during the day. In situations where melatonin production is disrupted, various disorders sleep.

There are drugs on sale that are analogues of this neurohormone - Melaxen or Melatex. Such medications are prescribed for use in patients who have trouble falling asleep, since it is melatonin that provides it.

A drug for normalizing the sleep-wake pattern

When prescribing Melaxen, taking into account the list of indications and contraindications, the risk of side effects is minimal, and the effects of the drug include not only the normalization of night rest, but also the improvement of brain function, the fight against oxidative stress etc. It is important to note that neurohormones do not affect the level of attention and are not contraindicated when driving a car.

All drugs related to sleeping pills are available only with a prescription from your doctor.

Medications

When patients have a question about what to take for insomnia, they should always seek professional help. medical care. In pharmacies there is a large selection of medications that have a therapeutic effect for insomnia, however, all of them are produced strictly according to prescriptions and must be used with strict adherence to indications and contraindications.

There are two main groups of medications for restoring sleep - barbiturates and benzodiazepines, which have their own pros and cons. The former are used less frequently due to high risk the occurrence of side effects if the dosage of the drug is incorrectly chosen.

Medicines based on barbituric acid have the following main names:

Barbital;
Hexobarbital;
Sodium etaminal, etc.

A drug from the group of barbiturates

All of them are capable of providing falling asleep quickly person, however, good sleep it does not arise. Very often, after using such sleeping pills, the patient does not feel rested, and all the symptoms of insomnia persist. Due to this, and the low safety of barbiturates, their use in modern medicine is quite limited.

The next group of medications for normalizing sleep in adults are benzodiazepines. They are much more effective than barbiturates and are widely used in young and elderly patients, providing good results. Such drugs, however, despite their safety, can disrupt the functioning of the central nervous system over a long period of use, and therefore in modern medicine, the treatment of insomnia is mainly carried out with new generation medications.

New generation drugs for insomnia

Modern drugs that are recommended for use in Last year– these are neurohormones, cyclopyrrolones, ethanolamines and imidazopyridines. The most effective means for insomnia, which do not cause side effects such as sleepiness during the day and fatigue, belong to the group of cyclopyrrolones. Most famous representative– Zopiclone tablets, effective drug, causing a state close to physiological sleep. The effect occurs after 25-35 minutes in the form of easy falling asleep.

Self-treatment of sleep disorders is not recommended due to the difficulties in selecting the optimal therapy for a particular patient.

Hypnotics from the group of cyclopyrrolone derivatives

The imidazopyridines represented by Zolpidem also have a high safety profile and rarely lead to undesirable effects. Medicines in this group do not change the structure of sleep, which ensures a person’s feeling of cheerfulness after waking up.

Sleeping pills from the ethanolamine group are represented in Russia by only one drug – Doxylamine, which has a weak hypnotic effect. This fact limits its use due to the greater effectiveness of the two previous groups of medications. However, the mild effect on the central nervous system without the risk of serious side effects allows the use of Doxylamine in broad group patients.

Insomnia associated with menopause is associated with hormonal changes in a woman’s body. In this regard, the first place in therapy should always be replacement therapy hormones, allowing the body to return to its normal physiological state and cope with all negative symptoms.

At a consultation with a somnologist

Treatment of sleep disorders, including insomnia, should in no case be done independently. In situations where a person has a regular disturbance in the process of falling asleep, it is necessary to contact medical institution to the doctor. Only a professionally conducted examination will reveal the main causes of insomnia. Drug therapy medicines should be prescribed when serious violations sleep and carried out taking into account indications and contraindications for medications.