Is It Harmful to Take Sleeping Pills Every Night? Pharmacist-Backed Answers to 7 Common FAQs

Insomnia is characterized by trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or a combination of both. And, as you may know, it can lead to poor sleep quality, groggy mornings, and an overall decrease in quality of life.

So what are the best ways to prevent and treat insomnia? For some people, certain lifestyle adjustments — such as limiting caffeine and practicing good sleep hygiene — do the trick. For others, a sleep aid may be necessary. 

Since some sleep medications come with warnings and have potential for causing dependence, you may be a bit leery about trying one. Below, we discuss answers to seven common questions about sleep aids, including is it safe to take sleeping pills every night?

1. What are some of the most common sleeping pills?

Most sleep medications are only accessible with a prescription from your healthcare professional. But there are some that are available over-the-counter (OTC) at your local pharmacy (and online). 

List of prescription sleeping pills

There are several categories of prescription sleep medications, including:

• Benzodiazepines, such as triazolam (Halcion)  

• Nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics (also known as “Z-drugs”), such as zolpidem (Ambien)

• Melatonin receptor agonists, such as ramelteon (Rozerem)

• Orexin receptor antagonists, such as suvorexant (Belsomra)

• Low-dose antidepressants, such as mirtazapine (Remeron) 

List of over-the-counter sleeping pills

There are several OTC sleep medications available for you to consider as well. Some come in combination products, and others are available as stand-alone medications. 

Most OTC sleep aids contain one of the following active ingredients:

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

• Doxylamine (Unisom)

• Melatonin 

• Cannabidiol (CBD)

2. Can you take OTC sleeping pills every night?

No, OTC sleeping pills should not be taken every night to treat insomnia. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, it’s best to avoid using OTC sleeping pills to treat chronic (long-term) insomnia. Instead, follow the directions on a product’s packaging to determine how long you can safely take it.

In addition to having potential side effects and drug interactions, there isn’t significant evidence that OTC sleep aids notably improve long-term sleep health. However, some evidence does indicate that certain OTC medications are useful when taken sparingly. For example, diphenhydramine and melatonin can help some people fall asleep faster. There’s less research available when it comes to doxylamine. 

What’s important to note is that these medications do not improve your quality of sleep. So if you’re finding that you need help getting a more restful night’s sleep, it’s best to talk to your healthcare professional about prescription sleep medications. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Is a bedtime routine important? A good bedtime routine can improve your quality of sleep. Follow these sleep hygiene tips to set yourself up for a better night’s rest. 

• A more natural approach: Discover pharmacist-supported supplements to help you sleep.

• Medications that can cause insomnia: If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, check to see if any of your medications could be behind your tossing and turning.

3. What happens if you take prescription sleeping pills every day?

Similar to OTC sleeping pills, it’s best to avoid taking prescription sleep medications every day. In most cases, these medications are prescribed to be taken a few times per week or for a few weeks at a time.

There is limited evidence available regarding the safety and effectiveness of taking prescription sleeping pills. In general, though, chronic use of prescription sleep medications has occasionally been linked to memory problems, changes to sleep stages, and worsening sleep quality. Some research also suggests that medications like benzodiazepines may elevate the risk of death when taken long term.

Keep in mind: Everyone is unique, especially when it comes to sleep. If your healthcare professional wants you to take sleep medication every day, make sure to defer to their directions.

4. What are the long-term effects of taking sleep medication?

One major risk of chronic sleeping pill use is the development of tolerance. This is when the body gets used to a medication over time and higher doses are required to deliver the same effect.

Another risk with long-term use is dependence. Many sleeping pills can be habit-forming — particularly benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. They can cause withdrawal symptoms when they’re stopped suddenly. These medications are controlled substances for these reasons.

What’s more, some sleep medications, such as hypnotics, have been associated with the development of depression and sleep disorders. This is why it’s important to address any underlying health conditions or situations resulting in insomnia, rather than just the symptoms.

5. What other side effects can happen when you take sleeping pills?

Sleeping pills can cause other side effects that are important to be mindful of.

Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs can cause hallucinations and vivid nightmares for some people. These medications can even cause some people to do activities like walking or driving while asleep. Orexin receptor antagonists also have the ability to cause this side effect. 

Ramelteon (Rozerem) is a go-to option for treating insomnia since it isn’t habit forming. It doesn’t cause as many side effects as some of the other prescription sleep medications either. Many people complain, however, that it isn't as effective in helping with their insomnia. 

With all sleeping pills, it’s important to be mindful of alcohol consumption. It’s best to avoid mixing sleeping pills with alcohol and other medications that may cause drowsiness, such as opioids. Combining sleep pills with these substances can cause excessive drowsiness that may be dangerous. 

It’s also important for older adults to use caution when taking sleep medications. Side effects can be more pronounced for this group.

6. When should you take your sleep medication?

You should take your sleep medication shortly before you go to bed. But be sure that you have a sufficient amount of time to sleep to avoid a “hangover effect” the next morning.

Basically, you want to be sure you give ample time for the medication to wear off throughout the night to avoid waking up feeling groggy. For most sleep medications, this window is 7 to 8 hours.

The best time to take your sleep medication can also depend on which medication you’re taking. Your pharmacist or prescriber can talk you through the specifics of when to take your medication. 

7. What is the safest sleeping aid for regular use?

Your healthcare professional will assist you in choosing the best and safest sleep medication based on your symptoms, treatment goals, and medical history. Your insurance coverage may also play a significant role.

According to clinical guidelines, most people should start off by trying a benzodiazepine or ramelteon. Most medications taken should be supplemented with behavioral and cognitive therapies as well. If these medications aren’t effective, antidepressants can be tried next. 

Whichever sleep aid you choose, regular check-ins with your healthcare professional are important. For example, your healthcare professional will likely want you to come in for an appointment a few weeks after starting a sleep medication to see if it’s working well.

Remember: There are many medications for chronic insomnia. It may take some trial and error to find the one that works best for you.   

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD, MS

Cassandra Pardini has been a freelance medical writer for 7 years. In that time, she has concentrated on publishing articles on medication-related information for healthcare professionals and patients.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts