There are a huge amount of sleep aids on the market today. When picking a sleep aid there are three categories to pick from. One is available only by prescription, the second choice is to use an over the counter sleep aid while others are at your nearest health food store.  Only you and/or your doctor can help to decide which sleep aid is right for you.

Prescription medications that help you get to sleep include Lunesta, Rozerem, Halcion, Ambien and Sonata.  Medications that help you stay asleep are Estazdam, Lunesta, Restoril, Ambien CR. These are really more of a last resort for someone with prolonged insomnia. Side effects may include dizziness, headache, sleep-driving, severe allergic reaction, swelling of the face, as well as possible prolonged drowsiness.

The next best possible sleep aids are over the counter medications. Diphenhydramia, is the key ingredient in medications such as Nytol, Sominex and Unisom. These have very few side effects. It is possible to become addicted to any sleep aid, whether a prescription or over the counter drug.

Getting out of the drug thought process, try using herbs to help you sleep. A cup of chamomile tea before bed helps to relax your mind and your muscles. You may also want to try valerian root which reduces the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep as well as increasing the quality of your sleep. This should be taken approximately 1 hour before bedtime. Valerian root takes 2-3 weeks for the user to receive it’s full effects. Do not use it longer than 3 months. Consult a health professional before using this herb if you take prescription medications. Other items are lavender, which is a known stress reliever as well as St.John’s Wort which is known to help with depression. If your insomnia is due to depression then this herbal supplement would help a great deal. Another supplement recommended by herbalists is melatonin. Melatonin is a natural substance inside our bodies that help to control your internal clock. It can be taken in pill form. It is great for jet lag or if you work odd hours at work. Melatonin should be taken within 30 minutes of bedtime and be used for less than three months. Doctors say that caution should be used with this her if you suffer from depression or an autoimmune disease. All of these herbs can be found in health food stores as well as in some grocery stores.

A truly all natural way to induce sleep is through food. Ingesting Tryptaphan, most commonly found in turkey meat, causes increased levels in serotonin which transforms into melatonin. This type of response also occurs when eating complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads or whole grain crackers.

If you’re looking for a low-impact solution to your sleepless nights, then consider the insomnia drug Sonata.

If you find you can’t sleep again tonight, then take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. A majority of people will experience a sleeping disorder at some point in their lifetime with approximately 50% of adults suffering from insomnia. Since many cases of insomnia are caused by brief periods of high stress, most of them are short-term and resolve themselves without treatment. Unfortunately, a significant number of people will experience long-term or chronic insomnia too. The good news is that modern medicine has answered the demand for a solution with a variety of treatments. Sonata is one of the most popular of these insomnia treatments.

How to Use Sonata

The insomnia medication Sonata comes in pill form and is distributed by King Pharmaceuticals. Its primary active ingredient, zaleplon, is a hypnotic. Clinical studies have proven that Sonata is effective in treading both transient and chronic insomnia in young and elderly adults. Most patients will be prescribed a daily dosage of 10mg to be taken immediately before bed. Elderly patients or patients with preexisting medical conditions may be prescribed a reduced daily dosage of 5mg. Sonata users should be sleeping noticeably better within 7-10 days.

Do not take Sonata unless you are experiencing trouble sleeping, and do not take a larger dose than your doctor has prescribed. Because some patients may develop a tolerance for zaleplon, Sonata is only prescribed for periods of 30 days or less. Sonata has not been tested on or approved for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers.

How Sonata Works

Sonata is used exclusively as a sleep medication. Its primary ingredient acts as a hypnotic and sedative by encouraging the brain’s receptors to increase production of GABA, a chemical that causes people to feel relaxed and drowsy. Sonata will help patients to fall asleep but wears off quickly and thus is not as effective at helping them to stay asleep. The makers of Sonata do not recommend taking it immediately after a meal, and also advise users to avoid consuming a fatty diet as it may retard the drug’s ability to effectively engage your brain’s receptors.

Side Effects of Sonata

The most common side effects of Sonata are headaches, dizziness, nausea, and abdominal pain. Few of the patients experiencing these side effects reported repeated or even prolonged occurrences. Serious side effects are more likely to occur in elderly patients or patients whose health is already compromised. These side effects may include: amnesia, confusion, vertigo, loss of appetite, constipation, and pain or discomfort of the body, face, and extremities.

Patients that take Sonata for more than 30 days are also at risk of developing liver disease. Prolonged use of Sonata may also affect your mental health. If you become depressed or experience any of the physical side effects mentioned above for a prolonged period of time, then contact your doctor immediately and discontinue use of Sonata.

Prior to taking Sonata, ask your doctor about how it reacts with other drugs, medications, and vitamins. You should not take Sonata if you have zaleplon or aspirin allergies. You should also avoid consuming alcohol while on Sonata.