Various medications can help people fall asleep, stay asleep, or both, such as doxepin (Silenor) and Ramelteon (Rozerem). But, there may be some risks and side effects. Several are only for short-term use.

This article reviews 10 of the best medications a doctor may prescribe to help a person sleep. It also explores some nonmedical solutions for sleep issues.

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Sleep disturbances are common. An estimated 50–70 million people in the United States experience chronic sleep or wakefulness conditions, which are more common in females and older individuals.

A range of medications can help people fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. Prescription sleep aids can often relieve insomnia for short periods. However, many of these medications carry risks of side effects, misuse, and dependency.

Some sleep medications interact with other substances, including other medications, alcohol, and vitamin supplements. For this reason, a person should consult a doctor before starting any new sleep medication.

Learn more about sleep difficulties here.

Doxepin is a sleep aid with the brand name Silenor. Doctors may suggest people with insomnia use Silenor for up to 3 months. It may help a person fall asleep and stay asleep.

It is available as an immediate-release tablet in 3 and 6 milligram (mg) doses. A person should talk with a doctor about the best dose for their needs.

Doctors do not recommend Silenor for those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, a type of antidepressant, or people with glaucoma or urinary retention.

Silenor may cause side effects in some people. These can include:

People who are pregnant or nursing should consult a doctor before using Silenor. Parents or caregivers should only give it to children or adolescents if directed by a medical professional.

If symptoms do not clear within 7–10 days, a person should contact a doctor. They may need to rule out other possible causes of insomnia.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Temazepam, which has the brand name Restoril, is a benzodiazepine. This kind of medication may cause dependency and addiction if a person misuses it.

Restoril is available by prescription for the short-term treatment of insomnia. The typical prescription length is 7–10 days. A doctor will generally reassess the person following this period to determine if an underlying cause is responsible for their insomnia.

People who are pregnant should not take Restoril.

Restoril can cause a variety of side effects, which may include one or more of the following:

Restoril comes in a variety of dosages, ranging from 7.5 to 30 mg. A person should talk with a doctor about the right dose for them.

Eszopiclone (Lunesta) may help a person fall and stay asleep.

Lunesta is a controlled substance with a tendency to lead to misuse and dependency. A person may also experience diminishing effects or increased tolerance to the medication over time.

Though generally safe, reported side effects include:

In addition, Lunesta may cause a person to engage in complex sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking or driving while asleep. A person should discontinue use and tell their doctor if they experience these behaviors.

Parents and guardians should talk with a doctor before giving this medication to children or adolescents. Pregnant people should also consult a doctor before taking it.

The recommended starting dose for Lunesta is 1 mg. A doctor can increase this to 2 or 3 mg if needed.

Other precautions a person should be aware of before taking Lunesta include the following:

  • Safety: Higher doses can impair a person’s CNS even when awake, making driving and other complex tasks more dangerous.
  • Liver function: People with reduced liver function should avoid taking Lunesta.
  • Age: Older people should avoid taking higher doses.
  • Mental health: Lunesta may worsen depression or suicidal thoughts.
  • Allergies: It can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Ramelteon (Rozerem) may help a person fall asleep. Unlike other medications, a doctor may prescribe Rozerem for longer-term use.

This medication comes in a one-size dose of 8 mg. A person should not exceed a single dose daily.

Unlike many other sleep aids, Rozerem is not a controlled substance. It has a low likelihood of misuse or dependency. However, it can still cause side effects such as:

  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • worsening insomnia

It can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

Other groups that should use caution in taking this medication may include those who:

  • are pregnant
  • have severe liver impairment
  • are taking the medication fluvoxamine
  • have had an allergic reaction to the medication in the past

Suvorexant (Belsomra) may help a person fall asleep and maintain sleep.

A person taking Belsomra has a risk of misusing the medication and developing dependency. Like other controlled substances, it can cause CNS impairments that can lead to trouble with driving and other activities.

It can also cause:

  • worsening suicidal thoughts or depression
  • complex sleep behaviors
  • sleep paralysis

Other potential side effects reported in clinical trials include:

A doctor may prescribe a 5–20mg dose. Clinical trials showed that higher doses could lead to more adverse reactions.

Doctors can prescribe triazolam (Halcion) for the short-term treatment of insomnia, typically for 7–10 days.

Because the medication has the potential for dependency and misuse, doctors do not recommend it as a long-term treatment for insomnia.

Common side effects may include:

In some people, Halcion can cause:

  • complex sleep behaviors
  • dependency
  • withdrawal symptoms when a person suddenly stops taking it
  • worsening insomnia
  • CNS issues such as changes in behavior, unusual thinking, and anxiety
  • worsening depression
  • issues with performing activities such as driving

It comes in two dose sizes: 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg. A person should not exceed 0.5 mg daily.

Trazodone (Desyrel) is a medication that modulates the neurotransmitter serotonin. Doctors typically use it to treat major depressive disorder. However, they may prescribe it off label to help a person fall asleep since one of its effects is drowsiness.

The typical starting dose is 150 mg daily, divided into two doses. Doctors may increase this to a maximum daily dose of 400 mg.

However, a doctor will likely prescribe a lower amount for sleep disturbances. A 25–100 mg dose may help a person fall and stay asleep with fewer side effects than traditional sleep aids.

Though they may be less likely at these lower doses, this medication can still cause side effects such as:

It may also increase thoughts of suicide.

People should limit their alcohol consumption when taking Desyrel, as it can increase the effects of alcohol.

Learn more about the effect of this medication on sleep.

Doctors can prescribe estazolam (Prosom) for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It may help with falling and staying asleep.

Prosom has a risk of misuse and dependency. Doctors typically prescribe it for short-term help with insomnia.

A doctor may prescribe 1 mg or 2 mg tablets for insomnia treatment.

Estazolam can cause reactions such as:

  • loss of coordination
  • drowsiness
  • hypokinesia, or a reduced range of movements
  • dizziness

Zaleplon, or Sonata, may be useful for the short-term treatment of insomnia. While it may help a person fall asleep, it does not help maintain sleep.

A person taking Sonata has some risk of dependency. It also has a high likelihood of misuse.

A typical adult dose is 10 mg, though some may find that 5 mg is sufficient.

Sonata can cause a variety of side effects, including:

  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty concentrating

Less common side effects include hallucinations, mood changes, and memory loss.

Zolpidem, which has the brand names Ambien, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist, is a sleep medication that may help with falling asleep and sleep maintenance.

Doctors may prescribe it for short-term insomnia relief. Like some other sleep medications, it may cause complex sleep behaviors.

A doctor should prescribe the lowest effective dose, not exceeding 12.5 mg daily.

Doctors do not recommend a person take this medication during pregnancy. It can also lead to anaphylactic reactions, CNS depression, worsening depression, and withdrawal effects in some people.

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness
  • headache
  • next-day sleepiness

The table below compares the benefits and risks of these sleep medications.

Medication brand nameProsConsCan it help a person fall asleep?Can it help a person stay asleep?Is there a risk of dependency and misuse?Side effects
Silenormay help a person fall and stay asleep• may interact with other medications
• may not be suitable for pregnant people
yesyesunlikely• CNS depression
• changes in mood or behavior
• suicidal thoughts
Restorilstrong sedative effect may help with insomniarisk of dependency, withdrawal, and misuseyesyesyes• dry mouth
• vertigo
• headache
• fatigue
• nausea
• anxiety
• depression
Lunestamay help a person fall and stay asleep and is generally safecan cause complex sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalkingyesyesyes• dizziness
• unpleasant taste
• viral infections
• headache
• anxiety
Rozeremnot a controlled substance and has little chance of causing dependencyhas the potential for adverse and allergic reactions in some peopleyesnounlikely• drowsiness
• dizziness
• fatigue
• worsening insomnia
Belsomramay help a person fall and stay asleeprisk of dependency or misuseyesyesyes• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• upper respiratory tract infection
• headache
Halcionmay help a person fall asleeponly for short-term useyesnoyes• lack of coordination
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
Desyrellow dose antidepressant that may cause fewer side effects than traditional sleep medicationscan cause mental health side effects, such as suicidal ideationyesyesunlikely• edema
• drowsiness
• blurred vision
• weight loss
• suicidal thoughts
Prosommay help a person fall and stay asleeprisk of dependency or misuse yesyesyes• lack of coordination
• drowsiness
• reduced movements
• dizziness
Sonatamay help a person fall asleep • risk of dependency and adverse effects

• does not help maintain sleep
yesnoyes• abdominal pain
• weakness
• headache
Ambien, Intermezzo, Zolpimistmay help a person fall and stay asleepmay cause complex sleep behaviors and other adverse reactionsyesyesyes• dizziness
• headache
• next-day sleepiness

Though medications may help some people with insomnia, other remedies may also help a person fall asleep. Alternative treatments and lifestyle changes a person may find helpful include:

For in-depth resources on the science of sleep, visit our dedicated hub.

Medications for sleep can provide short-term relief from insomnia.

However, many of these medications have potentially serious side effects, including complex sleep behaviors. Some sleep medications also pose a risk of dependency and misuse.

A person should talk with a doctor before and while using any sleep aid, making them aware of other substances they use and any side effects they experience.