Side Effects Of Sleeping Pills

Issues With Attention Or Memory

Many individuals experience issues with attention or memory the day after they take a sleeping pill. These cognitive effects may be worse if they haven't gotten a full eight hours of sleep. In addition, some sleeping pills can cause patients to sleepwalk or develop amnesia about nighttime events. There have even been situations where patients drove their vehicles while still asleep. Memory can be impaired by sleep deprivation as well. If patients are not getting enough sleep regularly, they are more likely to have issues with concentration and focus whether or not they take a sleeping pill.

Taking a sleeping pill too late in the night can cause the same daytime effects they get with sleep deprivation. In addition to drowsiness, these include impaired concentration and short-term memory. Depending on the circumstances, patients may also find their long-term memory is impacted. Issues concentrating aren't necessarily a reason to stop taking the drug, though episodes of amnesia and engaging in behaviors while still asleep are. Even one episode of amnesia is enough to make stopping the drug a good idea.