Many people who struggle with sleep just head to the pharmacy and buy an over-the-counter sleep medication. There is nothing inherently wrong with this approach. It works perfectly well for the occasional bout of sleeplessness. However, if you struggle with sleep more often than once in a blue moon, you should talk to your doctor about using a prescription sleep aid instead. Here are some benefits of this approach.
Prescription Sleep Medications Are Generally Stronger
Because sleeping medicines make it risky for you to do things like drive and operate machinery, the ones sold over the counter tend to be pretty mild. If you're really having a tough time falling asleep or staying asleep, they may not do enough for you. Prescription sleep aids can be a lot stronger since they are only allowed to be given out by your doctor and pharmacist. Yes, you'll need to avoid operating heavy equipment while taking them, but as long as you're careful, you should really feel the effects.
Your Doctor Can Recommend the Best One for You
You can tell your doctor more about your sleep trouble, and they'll recommend the best prescription sleep medication for you. For example, perhaps you take a long time to fall asleep, but once you are asleep, you stay asleep. Or maybe you fall asleep quickly, but then you wake up again within an hour. There are a lot more prescription sleep meds than there are over-the-counter ones, so chances are, there is one that will address your particular sleep problems more directly.
You May Pay Less
If you have health insurance, you may actually pay less for a prescription sleep medication than you would for an over-the-counter sleep medication. For an over-the-counter medication, you'd pay full price. For a prescription medication, you typically only pay a copay, which is a fraction of the actual medication's cost. Even if you do not have health insurance, there may be a prescription-savings program you can use, or your doctor may even be able to give you some free samples of a sleep medication. The savings can add up over time if you use sleep medicines regularly.
Everyone needs sleep. If you're not getting enough, this is a problem that you need to take seriously. Talk to a doctor about sleep medicine. They can recommend the medication that best suits your needs and help you get it at a reasonable price.
Share21 October 2021
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