Sleeping pills are “sedative hypnotics.” This is a particular type of drugs used to generate and/or sustain sleep. Sedative hypnotics consist of benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and various hypnotics.

1. Are Sleeping Pills Harmful

2. A sleeping pill may be effective at
ending your sleep problems short-
term. But it's important to make
sure you understand everything
you need to know about sleeping
pills. That includes knowing about
sleeping pill side effects. When you
do, you can avoid misusing these
sedatives.

3.  Antihistamines: These medicines are commonly used to treat
allergies such as hay fever. However, drowsiness is a side-
effect of some antihistamines - for example, promethazine.
 Melatonin: Melatonin is, strictly speaking, not a 'sleeping
tablet'. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone made by
the body. The level of melatonin in the body varies
throughout the day.
 Benzodiazepines and Z drugs : Benzodiazepines and Z drugs
are sometimes used as sleeping tablets. Benzodiazepines
include temazepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam, and
nitrazepam. They are only available on prescription.

4. Common side effects of prescription sleeping pills such as
Lunesta, Sonata, Ambien, Rozerem, and Halcion may include:
 Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
 Changes in appetite
 Constipation
 Diarrhea
 Difficulty keeping balance
 Dizziness
 Drowsiness
 Dry mouth or throat

5. Sedative-hypnotic drug products (benzodiazepines and
non-benzodiazepines) can cause severe allergic
reaction, facial swelling, memory lapses,
hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or actions, and
complex sleep-related behaviors like sleep-walking,
sleep-driving (driving while not fully awake, with no
memory of the event) and sleep-eating (eating in the
middle of the night with no recollection, often
resulting in weight-gain).