Side Effects Of Sleeping Pills

Heartburn Or Indigestion

Sleeping pills may cause heartburn or indigestion, and benzodiazepines are most likely to trigger these symptoms. Most patients take sleeping aids shortly before bedtime, and the pills increase the patient's exposure to stomach acid during the overnight hours. When stomach acid is increased, the cells lining the esophagus could be damaged. Studies have shown sleeping pills worsen acid reflux and cause the patient to experience more heartburn and indigestion at night. Patients who take these medications should speak with their physician about trying non-drug approaches to improve sleep. If sleeping pills are necessary, they should be used at the lowest effective dose, preferably for a short time.

Patients who have heartburn while on sleeping pills may need to make lifestyle adjustments to reduce the severity of this side effect. Experts recommend eating meals at least two or three hours before bedtime, and it is helpful to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Foods that are high in fat or spicy could trigger heartburn, and patients may also want to avoid onions, tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, peppermint, and caffeine. If heartburn occurs regularly, the patient should have an assessment to determine the underlying cause of the issue.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential side effects of sleeping pills now.