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Sleeping pills.(usage)
- Article from:
- Clinical Reference Systems
- Article date:
- May 24, 2006
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What are sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills are medicines or natural remedies that make it easier to fall asleep. Some of these medicines can be bought without a prescription. Others are available only with a prescription.
Nonprescription sleep medicines usually contain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or doxylamine. Antihistamines are used to treat allergies, and they can also make you sleepy.
Natural remedies that may help treat sleep problems include valerian root, melatonin, and St. John's wort. They may help most when sleep problems are due to shift work or jet lag.
The most commonly used prescription sleep medicine is zolpidem ...