People with chronic insomnia are caught in a difficult dilemma. Too many popular sleeping pills may affect cognitive function and contribute to a potential risk of dementia in later years.
Q. I am having a lot of trouble sleeping. Since my husband passed away I’ve needed something to help me sleep.
For years I’ve taken Tylenol or Advil PM along with alprazolam. I’ve read that alprazolam can contribute to dementia and would like to get off it. Do the “PM” pills also contribute to dementia?
I can usually get to sleep, but without medication I wake up soon afterwards and toss and turn for hours. I know I should drink relaxing tea, not use the computer at nights, and so on, but none of this helps me STAY asleep.
Are my sleeping pills harmful? If so, what else can I do to get some sleep?
Popular Sleeping Pills Pose Risks
A. Your sleep aids could cause problems. Diphenhydramine, the sedating compound in “PM” pills, is an antihistamine with adverse effects on memory and cognition, especially for older people (Sleep, July, 2006).
We also worry about alprazolam. In a recent review, researchers documented an increased risk of dementia for people taking drugs in this class (Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, May, 2015).
While you may be able to use these popular sleeping pills occasionally, regular use could become a problem and actually interfere with your ability to sleep when you don’t take them (rebound insomnia). Other approaches including herbs that may help are discussed in our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep.
