What Is The Safe Sleep Aid I Can Try When I Have Difficulty In Falling Asleep?

Posted on Fri, 10 Aug 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 Answered on

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having difficulty falling asleep.. sometime till 4 a.m. then i sleep till 10.. what is a safe sleep aid to try. i have tried clonazaman and it dosent work any more.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Trazodone can be tried.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

You are 72 and have problem in falling asleep. If you are getting sleep at 4:00 AM daily and are waking up at 10:00 AM then this might be due to alterations in sleep cycle.

You have tried Clonazepam and Ambien was also given. The doses of these drugs can’t be increased further because of risk of side effects and fall.

The drugs like Trazodone can be tried in your case. The drug is safe and has no serious side effects. This can be taken along with Clonazepam too. You can talk with your doctor for this drug.

Thanks and Take care.
Please let me know if you need more assistance.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 days later)

Dr.How does one fix the sleep alteration in the sleep cycle? can it be done without drugs?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Melatonin can be tried.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Disturbed sleep cycle could be the reason of poor sleep. Late insomnia is seen commonly. Melatonin can be given in such situation which can help in improving the sleep cycle and will regulate the sleep.

Melatonin is available as OTC supplement and is safe to use. This can be tried for sleep.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (6 hours later)

i have tried melatonin and it didnt help..maybe i didnt use enough, what would be an average dosage and can one take too high of a dosage?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Dose of even 3 mg can be used.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

The doses varies in individuals. In individuals with age more than 65 the doses acts differently. Normally the doses of up to 3 mg (sometimes even 6 mg) should be tried. This should help in good sleep.

Ramelteon is also a good alternative. But this is a prescription drug. The drug helps to improve the sleep rhythm and is also safe to use.

Thanks and Take care

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar