Can You Take Sleeping Pills with Antidepressants?
Sleep disorders are common in individuals battling with mental health conditions. Stress and depression are among the core reasons for insomnia and mostly come in a package. The psychological unrest makes it difficult for a person to have a peaceful sleep, or even cause sleeplessness. In this case, sleeping tabs are helpful to deal with the sleep troubles but sometimes patients want to combine these with antidepressants, is it good to do? Generally, when we consider treating a problem, we prefer to resolve the root cause. When there is a stress triggered insomnia, it’s fair to take anti-anxiety medicines. However, combining these with sleeping pills seems not favourable. Let’s get to know if you can take sleeping pills with antidepressants or not.
Understanding Antidepressants and Sleeping Pills
Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to treat mental health conditions, primarily depression and anxiety. These medications work by balancing chemicals in the brain (such as serotonin and norepinephrine) that regulate mood, emotions, and mental well-being.
On the other hand, sleeping pills are medications designed to help individuals fall asleep and stay asleep. These can either be benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine sedatives. Their primary purpose is to address the immediate symptoms of insomnia and help users achieve restful sleep by inducing calmness.
The Risks of Combining Sleeping Pills and Antidepressants
Combining both of the sedatives is risky and not so recommended without any proper consultation. Taking these two together possess numerous risks which you should know beforehand.
Increased Sedation and Drowsiness
Both antidepressants and sleeping pills can cause drowsiness. Combining them can lead to excessive sedation, making it difficult to stay awake or carry out daily tasks. Doing so will trigger side effects like sleepiness, lack of consciousness, loss of muscle coordination and lethargy as well.
Respiratory Depression
The sedative medicines simply slow down the brain activity which leads to slower breathing as well. Combining both drugs can lead to CNS depression that increases the risk of respiratory depression (slowed or difficulty breathing). It can be a life-threatening situation specifically for the patients with underlying health issues like asthma or lung conditions.
Serotonin Syndrome
In rare cases, combining certain antidepressants (especially SSRIs or SNRIs) with medications that affect serotonin levels can lead to serotonin syndrome. The increased level of serotonin in the brain can lead to agitation, confusion and rapid heart rate. It can be life threatening leading to seizures or coma.
Addiction & Dependency
Taking the combination of both medicines can lead to addiction and increased dependency as well. Patients find it hard to be stable with only a single medicine. The body develops resistance and tolerance towards the medicine leading to serious concerns.
Can You Take Sleeping Pills with Antidepressants?
Concluding the answer, you should not take these together. It doesn’t refer to the impossible situation of not taking these two meds. In certain conditions, with proper dosage management and care it is possible to have mild antidepressants and sleeping pills together for a short term. It helps to recover from the condition. However, these are not suggested in regular cases and for long-term use.
Get Preferred Sleeping Tabs for Better Treatment
When you are suffering from a mild stress leading to the initial stage of insomnia, and you are looking for over the counter solutions, go for sleeping pills. Buy sleeping aid tablets online from Sleeping Tabs to help you with insomnia or disturbed sleep. Being a sedative, this helps to calm the brain cells and lets you maintain a healthy sleeping routine.
However, when stress hits you harder, buy antidepressant over the counter of the best quality and use them individually. Never take sleeping pills and antidepressants in combination without a consultation.
Also read here to know What Are the Top 10 Medications for Anxiety?