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Work In Night Shifts. What Are The Best Sleeping Pills I Can Use?
hello my family doctor passed away a number of years ago, he had prescribed a oral medication that would calm down and sleep better for two to three days after one dose. As my work involved some midnight shifts this medication helped me to adjust to the shift changes. Could you please suggest what drug this could have been. I contacted the Drug Store I purchased the medication but the records do not go back that far
Mon, 15 Apr 2013
Hello
Welcome to HCM
Night shift workers suffer problem of insomnia due to change in their circadian rhythm. In order to regulate their sleep a lot of medicines are approved.
Medicines like Benzodiazepines as clonazepam, alprazolam or other hypnotics as Zolpidem, Zopiclone can be used. But they have dependence potential so please take these drugs in consultation with a Psychiatrist only.
Other medicines that correct the circadian rhythm as Ramelteon or Melatonin can also be used. Ramelteon is even approved for use in shift worker disease. It is a non addicting medicine and it corrects the disturbed rhythm.
Please visit a Psychiatrist for expert opinion.
Thanks.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
Welcome to HCM
Night shift workers suffer problem of insomnia due to change in their circadian rhythm. In order to regulate their sleep a lot of medicines are approved.
Medicines like Benzodiazepines as clonazepam, alprazolam or other hypnotics as Zolpidem, Zopiclone can be used. But they have dependence potential so please take these drugs in consultation with a Psychiatrist only.
Other medicines that correct the circadian rhythm as Ramelteon or Melatonin can also be used. Ramelteon is even approved for use in shift worker disease. It is a non addicting medicine and it corrects the disturbed rhythm.
Please visit a Psychiatrist for expert opinion.
Thanks.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
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Hi there, the medication which is usually used for people who work shift is melatonin. It can help for sleep onset. It has short acting and long acting (slow release) forms. The other medications which can be used are the ones from Z class. They have few chance of dependence and they are short acting and they act very fast. Some people prefer these ones and may feel melatonin does not work for them. I wish you a good health.
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