Memory problems
Sleeping pills aren’t good for your memory. The most commonly used sleeping pills can make you more forgetful and they have been linked to higher rates of dementia when you get older.
The Dangers of Sleeping Pills
Injuries from falls
Sleeping pills impair your balance and slow your physical reaction time. They are a leading cause of injuries from falls in older adults, including:
- broken hip
- fractured wrist, spine, cheek bone
- head injury
- death
“I lost my independence after my fall. I had to move to a nursing home.”
Impaired driving
FACT 1: People who drive the morning after taking zopiclone (Imovane) are just as impaired as someone with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit.
FACT 2: 1 in 9 drivers in fatal accidents have taken sleeping pills within the past 24 hours.
FACT 3: People who take sleeping pills are 4-6 times more likely to be in a serious traffic accident.
Dependence, abuse, and withdrawal
- Sleeping pill dependence can occur within just 2 weeks of regular use.
- The most common feature of dependence is poor sleep when skipping a dose.
- Stopping sleeping pills too quickly can lead to withdrawal symptoms like insomnia and other more serious problems.
- Most prescribed sleeping pills are classified as controlled drugs by Health Canada because of the higher risk for theft and illegal sale on the black market.
“I’m pretty sure I’m addicted. Every time I try to stop my sleeping pills I feel terrible.”
Pneumonia
WARNING! People who get the flu (or other respiratory viral infections) while taking sleeping pills are at very high risk for serious complications.
Drug interactions and overdosage
Are you at risk of a drug interaction or accidental overdose with your sleeping pills and the other medications you take? Not sure? Speak with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Did you know?
Sleeping pills are involved in 2/3rds of overdose deaths with opioids.
Hangover
Sleeping pills affect you the next day. They can slow your physical reflexes and cloud your thinking. This can lead you to spend less time with family and friends. You may not even be aware of the daytime hangover effects of your sleeping pills.
“That sounds nice, but I think I’ll just stay home.”
(I just don’t feel confident going out.)
Other dangers
- Worsening of sleep apnea
- Impaired breathing when combined with other sedatives
- Sleep walking
- Blackouts (amnesia)
- Loss of inhibition (impulsivity, paradoxical aggressiveness, “drunkenness”)
The risks associated with sleeping pills have been researched extensively.
See our collection of important studies.
Quiz
What do you know about sleeping pills? Take our Sleep Medication Quiz.
Dangers
Learn about the various risks associated with sleeping pills.
Terry's Story
Learn how Terry gradually reduced and stopped taking sleeping pills.
Stopping Guide and Planner
Learn how to stop sleeping pills safely while getting your sleep back.
Vicious Cycle
It is common for you to experience a return of insomnia when stopping sleeping pills.
History
Learn how sleeping pills have been used to treat insomnia throughout our history.