Long term side effects of sleeping pills.

• Don’t take sleeping pills!

• That’s the simple answer!

• The Benzodiazepine class of sleeping pills have serious side effects in the elderly.

• Sleeping pills commonly cause falls and confusion in the elderly.

• Sleeping pills are very addictive and levels build up in the body.

• Even the so-called “shorter acting” sleeping pills such as Temazepam and Oxazepam build up levels in the blood so that the body never fully gets rid of the drug before the next dose.

• The older person’s body then becomes literally “pickled” from head to toe with sleeping pills!

• Older people are then permanently “drugged up to their eye balls and “zonked” all day.

• Even when long-acting Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam are stopped, the drug and its sedative effects may persist in the body for more than 2 weeks later!

• Side effects of sleeping pills include:

  • Confusion.

  • Worsening balance and falls.

  • Swallowing impairment.

  • Incontinence.

  • Next daytime drowsiness.

  • Physical and psychological addiction.

• Suddenly stopping sleeping pills that a person has been taking for years can cause rapid withdrawal symptoms such as worsening insomnia, agitation, confusion (delirium), falls and even seizures. These sleeping pills must be gradually withdrawn and tapered under close medical supervision to avoid serious withdrawal complications.

For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.