Hi Cleanfreak,
I have taken Trazodone but stopped because I didn't find it that good for sleep. However, if it works for you, that's great. Of course, not so great if it's causing constipation.
Trazodone belongs to a class of drugs called "tricyclic antidepressants" (TCAs) which are known for their anticholinergic (dry mouth, constipation, tachycardia) side-effects, but Trazodone is exceptional in that it doesn't have those effects. So I'm a little surprised that you're having this problem.
For immediate relief, I'd suggest an enema rather than laxatives. However, if you continue to have constipation, you may need to change medication.
I've never had Zopiclone but I know it is notorious for the long-lasting foul taste it causes in your mouth. I'm surprised that anyone uses it.
I've had my share of sleeping medication experiences, and overall I think it's better not to get started down that road. Once you do, it's very hard to get back to normal sleep again. I still struggle with it - I've been slowly weaning myself off of sleeping pills for the past six months. While I don't feel that I was ever addicted, using sleeping medication makes one dependent - if you stop, your insomnia is worse, a condition known as "rebound insomnia."
OK, now that I've made that warning, some recommendations if you're still determined to get some medications. Start with the lightest and least addictive stuff - if that works, don't go any further.
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The "lightest" sleep inducing drugs are first-generation antihistamines. These are sold across the counter in most countries, though some of the stronger ones might require a prescript
ion. Choices include:
doxylamine succinate, active ingredient in NyQuil and Unisom-2
diphenhydramine, active ingredient in Benadryl, Nytol, Unisom, Tylenol PM
meclizine (meclozine), sold for motion sickness
hydroxyzine, may require doctor's prescript
ion, has a very long half-life (20 hours) so a bad tendency to cause next-day hangover
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Next up would be the Z-drugs, which includes Zopiclone. None of the other Z-drugs cause the foul taste.
Zaleplon (Sonata, Starnoc) - the lightest of the Z-drugs, and it's the one I now take. Relatively little addictive potential. It's very fast acting, and it's greatest use is to help you fall asleep. It's very short half-life (one hour) means it's out of your system by morning, so no next-day hangover. The downside is that it's pretty much out of your system after four hours, so it won't keep you asleep all night. If you wake up in the middle of the night, you may have to take a second one to get back to sleep. Alternatively (this is what I'm now doing), I'll take one Zaleplon tablet along with a half or quarter tablet of an antihistamine. I'm very gradually reducing my dosage, hoping that some day I can just sleep without any of this.
Zolpidem (Ambien, Stillnox) - the most popular Z-drug. Very effective in the beginning, but gradually you build tolerance and become dependent with regular use.
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Finally, the "heavy guns" - benzodiazepines, or "benzos" for short. This includes many well-known drugs which can be easily abused such as diazepam (Valium), flurazepam and temazepam. If you get a colonoscopy you'll probably be given midazolam, a short-acting benzo which just puts you right out. Try to avoid using benzos for sleep unless very short-term.
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Barbituates - very heavy, almost never prescribed nowadays due to easy abuse and possible fatal overdose.
Post Edited (ozonehole) : 5/22/2012 3:27:05 AM (GMT-6)