Flash. Neuro Insomnia

Insomnia drugs are prescribed primarily to treat various sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, especially when these disruptions affect daily functioning.

A frequent side effect of many insomnia medications is drowsiness or sedation. Other potential side effects can include dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, and allergic reactions.

Older adults are more sensitive to the sedative effects of these medications, which can increase their risk of falls and fractures. Additionally, some insomnia drugs can cause cognitive or memory issues, particularly in older populations.

The patient should be advised to take zolpidem right before they intend to go to sleep and ensure they can dedicate 7-8 hours for sleeping to reduce the risk of waking up while still under the drug's effects. Also, they should be cautioned against taking the medication with alcohol or other CNS depressants.

It's vital for nurses to assess the patient's sleep patterns, lifestyle, and the potential underlying causes of insomnia. Patient education about good sleep hygiene, potential side effects of the medication, and the importance of not self-increasing doses or combining with alcohol or other sedatives is also paramount.