Insomnia
Medications used to help with falling and staying asleep.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder where you may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. This can lead to getting too little sleep or having poor-quality sleep, leaving you feeling unrefreshed when you wake up.
Symptoms of Insomnia
Symptoms of insomnia include lying awake for a long time before falling asleep, sleeping for only short periods, being awake for much of the night, feeling as if you haven't slept at all, and waking up too early.
Types and Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia can be acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing). Acute insomnia is often caused by stress, family pressures, or traumatic events and usually lasts for days or weeks. Chronic insomnia lasts for a month or longer and is often a symptom of other problems, such as medical conditions, medications, or other sleep disorders. Factors like caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, long-lasting stress, emotional upset, travel, and shift work can also contribute to insomnia.
Why Insomnia Matters
If left untreated, insomnia can lead to daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. It may also cause feelings of anxiety, depression, or irritability, and can affect your ability to focus, pay attention, learn, and remember. Additionally, insomnia can increase the risk of accidents, such as drowsiness while driving.
How Insomnia is Treated
Treatment for insomnia may include lifestyle changes, counseling, and a range of prescription medicines. Good sleep habits can help relieve acute insomnia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist with chronic insomnia by addressing anxiety. If insomnia is a symptom of another issue, treating that underlying problem is important.
When to See a Doctor
If you are experiencing persistent sleep difficulties or if insomnia is affecting your daily life, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider. They can take your medical history, ask about your sleep habits, perform a physical exam, and may recommend a sleep study.
Medications used to treat Insomnia
Several classes of medication treat insomnia. Which is right depends on your health — that is a decision for you and your provider. Compare prices and coupons on any of them:
Rx Plus watches all your medications across 60,000+ pharmacies and alerts you when any of them drop in price.
Start trackingA free Rx.com coupon lets you compare cash prices at more than 60,000 US pharmacies and pay the lowest one — no insurance or signup needed. See the full medication list below.
Frequently asked questions
Who is at risk for insomnia?
Insomnia affects women more often than men and is more common in older adults. You may be at higher risk if you have a lot of stress, are depressed, have a lower income, work at night, travel long distances, have an inactive lifestyle, or are African American.
What are the common causes of acute insomnia?
Common causes of acute insomnia include stress at work, family pressures, or a traumatic event.
What is chronic insomnia?
Chronic insomnia lasts for a month or longer and is often a symptom of other problems, such as medical conditions or medications.
What are some lifestyle changes that can help with insomnia?
Good sleep habits, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleep environment, can help relieve acute insomnia.
How is insomnia diagnosed?
To diagnose insomnia, your healthcare provider will take your medical history, ask about your sleep habits, perform a physical exam, and may recommend a sleep study.
Compare prices for insomnia medications
18 medications — select one to compare prices and coupons.
- Diphenhydramine Hcl
- Diphenhydramine Hcl Childrens
- Diphenhydramine Hcl Sleep
- Doxylamine Pyridoxine
- Doxylamine Succinate
- Estazolam
- Eszopiclone
- Flurazepam Hcl
- Lorazepam
- Lorazepam Intensol
- Quazepam
- Ramelteon
- Temazepam
- Trazodone Hcl
- Triazolam
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem Tartrate
- Zolpidem Tartrate Er
Condition information adapted from MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medication list sourced from RxClass (MED-RT, U.S. National Library of Medicine). Inclusion does not imply a medication is right for you.
Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.