Once a person is diagnosed with insomnia and has tried treatments other than physician prescribed medications and they have not worked, then it is time to try prescription medication. There are many different types of medications that are prescribed for insomnia; some are strictly for sleep while others help to combat other problems such as anxiety. Only after the diagnosis of insomnia and possible disease or other health problems ruled out will the physician decide which of these medications will help the most.

In some severe cases a physician will prescribe more than one medication to treat insomnia and this must be monitored closely as the regular sleep pattern returns. This is because some medications can become addictive when taken for extended amounts of time.

Some of these drugs that can be prescribed are anti-depressants and are regularly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in patients. These are called Benzodiaepines and many people have heard of the common ones that include, Xanax, Valium, Ativan and Klonopin. These and others in their class help to combat insomnia by calming the central nervous system and this will in turn cause sleepiness. Although they can have after affects leaving the person feeling drowsy during the day and the dosage will be decreased to compensate.

There are also other medications that can be prescribed that are hypnotics and are a short acting sedative and they safer for long-term use. They work by enhancing the natural feeling of sleepiness as they affect the chemical in the brain known as gamma aminobutyric. These can include medications such as Ambien, Sonata or Lunesta.

Another type of medication that can be prescribed that is considered a melatonin receptor agonists is also a hypnotic that affects the melatonin receptors in the brain. This type of medication however, is not effective for some insomniacs, as it may not keep them asleep for the full night.

In some cases of insomnia the medication Trazodone maybe prescribed and this is considered a sedative-hypnotic. In most cases it will be prescribed for the patient that also suffers from depression.

Each of these medications when prescribed need to be taken as prescribed and not deviated from as in many cases they can be addictive and also dangerous when taken more than prescribed. Patients that are prescribed any of these medications should consult with their physician about any side effects they might encounter, such as dizziness, dry mouth and others. In some cases the dosage may be to high and in other cases the medication is not one the particular patient can take and will need to be replaced with a different type of medication.

The same is true if there is daytime drowsiness, the physician should be consulted and the medication will either be lowered in dosage or possibly changed to a medication that is not of the same type or strength.

When other types of treatment for insomnia do not work or medication is the choice of the insomniac it is important to take the proper one that will not only ensure a nights sleep but one that will not affect the patients daytime activities.