If your best attempts to get a good night’s sleep have failed, prescription sleeping pills may be an option. benzodiazepines; sedatives; hypnotics; sleeping pills; medicines for insomnia; medicines for sleep disorders. Prescription sleeping pills (and even some over-the-counter sleep aids) as well as certain antidepressants may not be safe if you’re pregnant, nursing, or an older adult. Doxepin (Silenor), ✓; Eszopiclone (Lunesta), ✓, ✓; Lemborexant (Dayvigo), ✓, ✓; Ramelteon (Rozerem), ✓.
However, this does not mean that sleep aids are dangerous. Taking your sleeping pills as prescribed by your doctor can protect you from side effects. Older antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to treat sleep disorders because they alter the brain chemicals that can help regulate sleep.