Prescription sleeping tablets can be useful for a short period during a crisis or severe sleep disturbance, but they are generally not recommended for long-term, ongoing use. Over time, the body can become tolerant so they work less well, and some people develop dependence, making it hard to stop. Side effects can include daytime drowsiness, poor concentration, and, in older adults, an increased risk of falls and confusion.
For this reason, guidelines across the US, UK, Canada, and Europe recommend cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia as the first-line treatment, because it addresses the underlying causes and the benefits last after treatment ends. Improving sleep habits and treating any underlying anxiety, depression, or pain is also important.
Do not start, stop, or change any sleep medication on your own, and avoid combining it with alcohol or other sedatives. If you are taking sleeping pills regularly and want to come off them, speak to a doctor or pharmacist, as stopping suddenly can cause rebound insomnia and withdrawal effects that are best managed with a gradual, supervised plan.