What Are The Side Effects of Sleeping Pills Overdose?

Millions of people depend on sleeping pills to alleviate sleep disorders. However, sleeping pills overdose can result in lethal outcomes. In India, a study found that over 50% of individuals who attempted suicide by sleeping pills overdose. 

However, a sleeping pill overdose is bad for your health. These medications can improve sleep in the short term but come with risks and side effects. Jagruti Rehab Centre in Mumbai has come up with a blog regarding various aspects of a sleeping pill overdose. What sleeping pills are, how they work, their side effects, and alternative ways to improve sleep naturally and safely. 

What are Sleeping Pills and their use (Nind ki goli)?

Sleeping pills are a type of medicine that makes you sleep. It directly attacks the central nervous system of the body. Insomniacs use these drugs to help them fall asleep. If you often wake up in the middle of the night, sleeping pills may be able to keep you asleep. It is also known by the name sleeping aids, Hypnotics, Sedatives, and Tranquilizers.

People experiencing insomnia or lack of sleep are more likely to intake sleeping pills. However, It is better to take pills after prescription. 

Top 10 Sleeping Pills in India

Here is the list of Popular sleeping pills In India:

• Zolpidem
• Melatonin
• Diphenhydramine
• Temazepam
• Triazolam
• Estazolam
• Eszopiclone
• Himalaya Tagara Tablet
• Trazodone
• Ativan

Types of prescription Sleeping Pills (Nind ki goli)?

Here are the types of sleeping pills In India:

• Benzodiazepines: They are used to reduce nervous tension, relax muscles, and generally alter consciousness by increasing inhibitory neurotransmission. Examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam. People with problems related to the liver or kidneys tend to get dizzy, feel quite tired, and get irritated.

• Non-benzodiazepines: They react quickly, start working in about 30 minutes, and last in impact for 8 hours. The sleep-inducing medication makes it so the patient does not wake up or feel tired during the morning. Examples of them are Zolpidem, Ambien, and Zopiclone, with fewer side effects and a lower risk of addiction.
• Melatonin: It is the synthetic copy of the human hormone found in the brain where sleep is regulated.
• Antidepressants: They are drugs for the treatment of depression, stress, and anxiety. Examples of side effects may be dry mouth, inability to use the toilet properly, weight gain, or having less interest in certain activities. These drugs are not for use by children or adolescents.

Do Sleeping Medications Really Work?

People who use sleep aids fall asleep eight to 20 minutes quicker than those who do not. An extra 35 minutes of sleep may be expected on average.

In most cases, You should not take excessive sleeping pills. If a stressful life event, such as a divorce or the loss of a family member, is keeping you awake, these pills are beneficial. However, if you’re suffering from any mental issues, contact a rehabilitation centre in Mumbai, India instead of taking sleeping pills.

What are the side effects of Sleeping Pills overdose?

The adverse effects of sleep pills (nind ki goli) start when sleeping pill users become dependent." The short-term or long-term adverse effects of the use of sleeping pills are as follows:

Short-term side effects of sleeping pills include:

• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Pain
• Prissy
• Dumbfounded
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dry mouth
• Muscle weakness
• Slow decision-making and slow brain processing
• Indigestion, gas in the stomach, colic, or distension

Long-term side effects of sleeping pills include:

Long-term use of sleeping pills (Neend ki tablet) impairs the functioning of the brain and alters the structure of sleep. And contributes to sleeping pill dependency, drug tolerance, and other side effects, including:

• Dementia risk is greater in old age.
• Alzheimer's disease.
• It may cause depression.
• Sexuality disorder.

💡 Editor Note: You can get a doctor’s consultation regarding your sleep disorders. Jagruti Rehab in Delhi provides treatments for sleep disorders.

How many Sleeping Tablets are harmful?

Consuming more than 600 mg of sleeping pills is an overdose. This can lead to death if someone takes more than 2000mg of the dosage at a time. Overdose leads to different kinds of health issues in an individual.

These might also be a reason for lung failure, asthma attack, cardiac arrest, or many more. It happens because after an overdose individuals enter the sedative phase. Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may also start after a sleeping pill overdose.

What are the symptoms of a sleeping pill overdose?

• Fluctuation of blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Breathing issue
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Headache

How do Sleeping Pills work in the brain?

Sleeping pills (Neend ki tablet) affect the brain in different ways. Some make you feel sleepy, while others calm the part of your brain that keeps you awake.

Most over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pills have antihistamines. Antihistamines block histamines, which are chemicals that help you stay awake. Common antihistamines include diphenhydramine and doxylamine. Natural sleep aids work differently based on the type. 

Melatonin is a hormone that helps control when you sleep and wake up. Valerian has a calming effect on your nerves and helps you sleep better.

Prescription sleep medicines (neend ki tablet) also work in different ways. Benzodiazepines increase a chemical in your brain called GABA, which makes you feel calm, sleepy, and less anxious. Z-drugs slow down brain activity to help you sleep.

How can you stop taking Sleeping Pills?

If you want to stop taking sleeping pills, it is suggested to reduce the dose gradually. Also, they can follow:

• Sleep Hygiene: Fix your bedtime and avoid any late-night plans.
• Stimulus control: The bedroom must be dark, quiet, and clean. No screens or any other distractions before sleep.
• Meditation: Regular meditation, deep breathing and yoga.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: It is an effective and professional practice. You can take cognitive behavioural therapy at a rehab centre in Delhi. 

Can sleeping pills cause death risk?

Yes, an overdose of sleeping pills can cause death. Avoid sleeping pills overdose, and only take them when your doctor is prescribing them to you.

However, in expert opinion, always look for natural ways of getting sleep instead of depending on sleeping pills.

Who Should Avoid Sleeping Pills?

Not everybody should use sleeping pills. Always consult your doctor before trying any sleeping aid that is marketed as an OTC.

• Children

Sleeping pills are not safe for children. There is no approved sleeping pill available for children under the age of 16.

• Older Adults

People over 65 should avoid all sleeping medications. OTC pills and newer "Z" drugs like eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem. Because they can cause sleepiness and confusion and increase the risk of falls or other accidents.

• Pregnant Women

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid over-the-counter sleeping pills. Ask your doctor about the safer alternatives.

When should you take Sleeping Pills?

You should only take a sleeping pill when you get to bed for 7 to 8 hours. Do not take the pill before you finish your activities for the day. It might take some time to figure out the best time to take it. If you take it too early, you might fall asleep too soon and wake up too early. 

If you take it too late, it might not work. It is best to take the sleeping pill right before you plan to go to bed. Always follow your doctor's instructions on the prescription label.

Some people fall asleep easily but have trouble staying asleep. If that's the case, they may need a short-acting sleeping pill. One option, called Intermezzo, is approved for this. You can take it if you have at least 4 more hours to sleep.

Common Questions on Sleeping Pills Overdose

How many hours do sleeping pills work?

Some sleeping drugs are made to last up to 8 hours, others may only be effective for a few. Read carefully the directions and dosage advice given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

Can a person wake up after taking sleeping pills?

Yes, it depends on the quantity and kind of sleeping pills you take and your body's metabolism.

How fast do you fall asleep with sleeping pills?

Depending on the dosage of the medication. It could take up to an hour for some sleeping medications to start working, while it could take much longer for others.

How do you kick sleeping pills?

Breaking a sleeping pill addiction can be difficult, but several safe methods exist. When stopping sleeping pills, getting medical guidance and assistance is crucial. Your doctor advises progressively lowering the dosage over a few weeks to lessen withdrawal symptoms. You can also get better sleep without taking medicine using other therapies like cognitive-behavioural therapy and good sleep hygiene habits.

How can I sleep without pills?

There are many methods to enhance sleep quality. Creating a calm atmosphere for sleep, adhering to regular sleep hygiene practices like going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, abstaining from caffeine and alcohol before bed, and practising relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation are some effective strategies.

Can any rehabilitation centre help in overcoming sleeping pill addiction?

The rehabilitation centre is the place where people visit to get rid of their addiction. The addiction can be of any type such as drugs, alcohol consumption, or sleeping pills.

There are many rehab centres for addiction treatment in India. However, very few provide treatment in a homely environment. Jagruti Rehab is one of the best rehabs in India. We help you to find yourself.

Finding yourself means “the real you” that is lost due to addiction. We help a person to feel love towards their family, friends, or the people connected with them.