Side Effects Of Sleeping Pills

Stomach Pain

Stomach pain may develop with some types of sleeping pills, though it is generally considered a rare side effect. Patients have reported bloating during treatment with sleeping pills, and intense abdominal pain has occurred. Female patients over sixty years old may have a higher risk of experiencing stomach pain with sleeping pills, and taking sleeping pills with furosemide may elevate this risk. Stomach pain may make it difficult to eat, work, and sleep, and it could cause significant disruption in the patient's life. Patients who experience stomach pain may wish to keep a symptom journal that records the date, time, and duration of each episode of pain, any possible triggers for the pain (such as stress or food), and whether anything reduces the pain.

Since stomach pain can have a variety of causes, the patient should see their primary care doctor for an examination if this symptom persists for more than forty-eight hours. It is especially important to see a healthcare provider if stomach pain is accompanied by bloating that lasts more than two days or if it occurs along with fever, painful urination, or unexplained weight loss.

Constipation Or Diarrhea

Gastrointestinal issues such as constipation or diarrhea are frequently reported side effects of sleeping pills. Patients who use antidepressants as sleep aids are more likely to experience constipation, and diarrhea tends to occur with other types of sleeping pills. Constipation involves hard stools, and most doctors consider a patient constipated if they have not had a bowel movement in at least two or three days.

To ease constipation, patients may want to try increasing their dietary fiber, and over-the-counter laxatives might be necessary for symptom relief. In severe cases, patients may need to have an enema. Diarrhea develops when the patient has loose or watery stools more than three times in twenty-four hours. Diarrhea may be eased with a low-fiber diet, and over-the-counter medications like loperamide can help as well. Patients who have constipation or diarrhea regularly while taking sleeping pills should let their healthcare provider know. Changing to a different medication could reduce or eliminate this side effect.