Menopause Insomnia Medications

When a person is considering taking any type of sleep medications for insomnia in menopause they should do so only if other ways of dealing with insomnia have failed.  In fact, they should discuss the matter with their doctor first as some forms of sleep medication can be addictive and can cause a person serious side effects.

The two types of insomnia relief medicatations are over the counter and prescribed medications that a person can use to help provide them with a good night's sleep.

1.  Over the Counter

These are the least expensive of the two types of medications a person can use to help treat a menopause sleep problem.  These types of medications should only be used when a person is occasionally having problems sleeping. 

Often a person who takes this type of medication will find themselves left feeling drowsy the next day after taking them, but unlike prescribed medications they do not become addictive.   The other side effects that a person may suffer from when taking this form of sleep medication is blurred vision, a dry mouth and dizziness.  Also a person who suffers from one of the following conditions should not take any over the counter sleep products until they have discussed the matter with their doctor first.

-  Angina
-  Heart Arrhythmias
-  Glaucoma
-  Prostrate or Urinary problems

2.  Prescription

A person should be trying to take the lowest dose possible when using this type of medication for treating their menopause sleeping problems.  They should also follow the doctor's instructions to the letter and not divert from any course of treatment that they have prescribed.  There are different types of sleep medications that a doctor can prescribe, from Benzodiazepines to Non-Benzodiazepines to Antidepressants.  Although both the first two prescription medications mentioned are a lot riskier to take than the third one, all of these if taken for any length of time can become addictive. 

There are some side effects associated with these drugs that include problems to the person's respiratory system, drowsiness throughout the day, memory loss, as well as nausea, dizziness, headaches, agitation and even for some people - nightmares.  If at any time you begin to suffer any sort of out of the ordinary side effects while taken prescription sleep medications you must contact your doctor immediately.

Today over the counter sleep medications are now being brought more than any other form of medication or drug that is available.  The most commonly used of all over the counter medications readily available from your drug store are Nytol, Sominex and Sleep-Eez.  What is important that if any one decides to start using any kind of medication to help treat menopause insomnia, whether mild or severe, they really should discuss the issue with their doctor first.  It is they who will be able to advise a person what is the best course of medication for them to be taking and how they should take it.