There are a variety of sleep medicines available in Canada to treat insomnia, which is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep and/or causes you to wake up early. Except for a few, most of these medications are intended for short-term use.
Your doctor will consider your symptoms, overall health, and medical history when deciding whether a sleep medicine might be appropriate for you.
When talking to your doctor about sleep issues and insomnia, make sure to be very honest about your experience. Consider using a sleep diary to help you keep track of your sleep habits and sleep quality. That way, you can have a productive conversation with your doctor about your sleep and work together to find the right treatment option for you.
Always remember that you are your best advocate when discussing any type of medication with your doctor. When talking to your doctor about sleep medicines, consider asking some of these questions to better understand your treatment options:
If you do start taking a sleep medicine, make sure that you precisely follow your doctor’s instructions about how to take it, and let them know if you experience any side effects.
* A hypnotic is a medication used to treat insomnia.
† A sedative hypnotic is a medication used to reduce tension and anxiety and induce calm (sedative effect) or to induce sleep (hypnotic effect).
Take this short, clinically validated self-assessment to see where your sleep challenges may fall—from mild to more serious—and if it might be time to talk with your doctor.
