NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF PRIORY GROUP
EXPERT WARNS OF POSSIBLE DANGERS OF OVER THE COUNTER SLEEPING REMEDIES
22/3/10
Dr Natasha Bijlani, consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Roehampton, is warning of the dangers of becoming reliant on cheap and readily available sleeping aids and advising insomniacs to seek proper medical help.
It is believed that around six per cent of UK adults suffer from lack of sleep at some time in their lives, which can affect productivity at work, physical co-ordination and social interaction.
Pharmacies stock a cornucopia of various sleep aids, available without prescription and, coupled with the relatively low cost, they are often regarded as ‘safe’.
Dr Bijlani explains: “Insomnia is a symptom resulting from a variety of different causes, including depression, ageing, jet lag and serious undiagnosed illness. Any effective treatment needs to tackle the root cause of the problem.
“Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are commonly believed to contain safe dosages of active ingredients and to have a low risk of complications.
“However, many OTC drugs use powerful agents that, if taken in large quantities, could be equal in strength to prescription-only medications.
“The thought of a pill that can solve your sleep problems quickly is very appealing. Unfortunately, sleep medications don’t cure insomnia, and they can often make the problem worse in the long run.”
Dr Bijlani’s concerns about the use of both OTC and prescription sleep medications include:-
- Drug tolerance – taking more and more of the medication for it to work, which can lead to more side effects.
- Drug dependence – relying on the medication to sleep and being unable to sleep without it.
- Withdrawal symptoms – could include nausea, sweating and shaking.
- Side effects – such as drowsiness the next day, confusion, forgetfulness and dry mouth.
- Drug interactions – sleeping medications can interact with other drugs, worsening the side effects and can be dangerous with prescription painkillers and other sedatives. Sleeping pills also interact unfavourably with alcohol.
- Rebound insomnia – stopping the medication can sometimes make the insomnia worse.
- Masking an underlying problem – there may be an underlying medical or mental disorder, or even sleep disorder, that if treated would provide more relief from insomnia.
The main ingredient in most OTC sleeping pills is an antihistamine, generally taken for allergies but that also has the effect of making the user feel very sleepy. Some OTC medications also include a pain reliever, which can make them addictive.
The effect of antihistamines on sleep has not been substantiated through research studies according to Dr Bijlani.
She said: “They may have a mild and positive effect on modest short-term insomnia, but side-effects can be blurred vision, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth and general dehydration.
“Another class of sleeping pills use the hormone melatonin, which plays a role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle but does not induce sleep per se. Although a prescription-only medication it is easily available through the internet.
“Melatonin has a number of side effects; the more common ones are diarrhoea, abdominal pain and headaches and less frequently reported are nightmares, morning grogginess, fuzziness, nausea, mild depression and low sex drive. Melatonin can also interact unpredictably with other drugs and with no standard recommended dosage, overdosing is easy.
“A number of hypnotic preparations include herbal remedies. One of these commonly used is valerian root, a medicinal herb, which works best if taken regularly for two to three weeks rather than episodically but it has been known to cause liver damage and should be used with caution.”
Dr Bijlani continued: “In general, sleep medications are most effective when used sparingly for short term situations and it is always better to prioritise other solutions such as making changes to behaviour and routine around sleep or to consider psychological interventions such as cognitive behaviour therapy.”
“There is not enough evidence to support over-the-counter sleep medications as an effective insomnia treatment. In short, self-treat insomnia with OTC drugs only for short-term sleep difficulties. If you suffer from chronic insomnia, it is advisable to visit your GP, who can refer you for expert help if necessary.”
ENDS
CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436
Pic caption: Dr Natasha Bijlani
A HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPH/VIDEO TO ACCOMPANY THIS NEWS RELEASE CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM http://www.recognitionpr.co.uk/journalistarea-story.asp?id=8035
Notes to editors:
The Priory Group is the UK’s leading independent provider of acute mental health services, secure and step-down services, specialist education, complex care and neuro-rehabilitation services, working in partnership with the public and independent sectors.
Priory's acute psychiatric hospitals offer a comprehensive range of successful, evidence-based inpatient, outpatient and day patient treatment programmes and therapy services for a wide variety of mental health issues, including depression, addictions, eating disorders and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Priory Secure Services is a specialist provider of secure mental health services working in partnership with the NHS.
Priory's complex care hospitals and neuro-rehabilitation centres treat people with enduring mental and physical illnesses, restricted mobility and challenging behaviours that are often the result of organic, degenerative or neurological problems and whose needs cannot be met in conventional environments. Priory's neuro-rehabilitation centres care for people with a wide range of acquired or progressive neurological disorders, including brain injuries and illness, spinal injuries, brain haemorrhages and stroke.
Priory Education Services is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education and care for children and young people aged four to 35 with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and specific learning difficulties associated with dyslexia.
The Priory Group is developing a range of high quality care homes offering long-term, short-term and respite nursing care for older people who are physically frail or suffering with dementia related disorders.