Some medications have FDA approval to specifically help with sleep issues. Others may cause drowsiness or relaxation as a side effect, and doctors may prescribe them “off label” for sleep. That means they may help with sleep, even if that’s not what they’re indicated for.
In this video, learn what types of medications may help treat sleep off label, according to Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, Pharmacy Editor at GoodRx Health.
Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.
References
Bounds, C. G., et al. (2023). Benzodiazepines. StatPearls.
Jaffer, K. Y., et al. (2017). Trazodone for insomnia: A systematic review. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Amitriptyline.
Shin, J. J., et al. (2022). Trazodone. StatPearls.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2018). Understanding unapproved use of approved drugs “off label.”
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