Side effects of prescription sleeping pills

Always ask your health care provider about potential side effects before deciding which sleeping pills to consider taking. Depending on the type, prescription sleeping pills may include side effects such as:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness, which may lead to falls
• Headache
• Diarrhea or nausea
• Prolonged drowsiness, more so with drugs that help you stay asleep
• Severe allergic reaction
• Sleep-related behaviors, such as driving or eating when not fully awake
• Changes in thinking and behavior, such as hallucinations, agitation, trouble remembering events, suicidal thoughts and bizarre behavior
• Daytime memory and performance problems