The Best Over-the-Counter Insomnia Remedies for Seniors

Causes of sleep disorders in the elderly

In older people, the duration of slow-wave sleep decreases or disappears altogether. The structure of sleep in older people can be compared with the sleep of young children. An older person is prone to dozing during the day and waking up at night. Another cause of insomnia is a decrease in the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, which is controlled by the pineal gland (epiphysis) in the brain.

Often the cause of insomnia in older people is concomitant pathologies:

• cerebrovascular accident;
• arterial hypertension;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• urinary disorders;
• pain syndrome;
• respiratory and heart failure;
• mental diseases Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, dementia.

Common reasons include:

• sleep apnea;
• restless legs syndrome;
• endocrine disorders;
• taking psychoactive substances: alcohol, caffeine.

Medications can also cause sleep disturbances. Such medications include:

• hypotensive;
• psychotropic;
• bronchodilators;
• antiarrhythmic;
• statins;
• hormonal;
• glycosides;
• antitumor;
• antiparkinsonian;
• narcotic analgesics.

If long-term insomnia negatively affects your health, you cannot do without medications for insomnia in old age and adequate treatment of the underlying disease.

Addictive

Older people prefer to use common and inexpensive Corvalol and Valocordin. This is one of the paradoxes of our time. Doctors, like pharmacists, know that these drugs contain phenobarbital, which was recently recognized as a narcotic drug that can only be used for vital indications in emergency cases. To purchase drugs based on it, you must have a doctor's prescription. At the same time, Corvalol and Valocordin can traditionally be obtained without a visit to the doctor. Although they are highly addictive, they have unwanted side effects.

In some cases, insomnia can be overcome even with psychotherapy without the use of drugs. Exercise also improves sleep.

Features of the choice of treatment for sleep disorders in the elderly

Sleep pills are prescribed only to older people who have long-term insomnia. Temporary insomnia does not require drug therapy. Sometimes in such cases a safe herbal-based sleeping pill is prescribed. When prescribing sleeping pills for older people, a number of factors are taken into account:

• decreased metabolic rate (the drug takes longer to leave the body);
• decreased cognitive function;
• concomitant pathologies;
• side effects of sleeping pills;
• taking other medications.

For apnea, barbiturates and tranquilizers are contraindicated, as these drugs aggravate breathing disorders. Benzodiazepine sleeping pills should be prescribed with caution to patients taking medications from the following groups:

• hypotensive;
• cardiac glycosides;
• antidiabetic agents;
• anticoagulants;
• macrolides.

Important! Older people with dementia are not prescribed regular sleeping pills. Even the most modern hypnotics cause the opposite effect in such patients (insomnia and motor agitation). Antipsychotics are prescribed to treat insomnia in dementia.

When treating insomnia drugs for older people, the following rules are followed:

• prescribing the minimum effective dosage;
• short-term course of treatment (3–4 weeks);
• gradual withdrawal of medications;
• use of medications no more than 3 times a week;
• monitoring the patient during treatment.

Preference is given to new generation hypnotics - cyclopyrrolone derivatives. The drugs begin to act quickly, have a short half-life, and are well tolerated by older people.

The use of sleeping pills for various diseases

Sleeping pills also help with other ailments. This is especially important for pensioners, because at their age the list of acquired diseases is constantly increasing. Similar means are used:

1. For hypertension. At the primary stage, especially against the background of general overexcitation, medications with hypnotic effects will come to the aid of hypertensive patients. Self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.
2. For epileptic seizures. Bromine is used in the treatment of this disease. Like hexamidine, it not only acts as an anticonvulsant, but also has a hypnotic effect.
3. For strokes. Those who suffer from sleep loss after such a severe illness improve when taking a benzodiazepine. But its long-term use increases the risk of negative consequences. This is especially true for bedridden patients. In addition, the body becomes accustomed to the drug. Subsequently, you have to resort to a course of antihistamines. Thanks to this, sleep is normalized without getting used to them.
4. For senile dementia. To get rid of the disease, sleeping pills and sedatives are used. Only the doctor selects the appropriate drug and its dosage.
5. For diabetes mellitus. This disease disrupts the supply of glucose to cells. The consequence of energy deficiency in the body is sleep disorder along with the appearance of various pathologies. During the night, the patient can wake up up to 15 times with severe pain in the head and a feeling of hunger. At the same time, for people suffering from diabetes, the use of sleeping pills is extremely undesirable. Experts advise natural ways to normalize sleep: maintaining a daily routine, eliminating strong tea, coffee drinks, energy drinks from the diet, and frequent and long stays outside.

List of drugs without prescriptions

To improve sleep in case of short-term insomnia, medications for insomnia in old age are prescribed, which are sold without a prescription.

Melaxen (Circadin, Melarena)

Sleeping pills contain the hormone melatonin. Is an adaptogen. The medicine has positive and undesirable effects.

Pros:

• begins to act quickly;
• normalizes biological sleep rhythms;
• reduces the number of night awakenings;
• exhibits an antioxidant effect;
• does not cause addiction.

Minuses:

• cannot be combined with hormonal drugs and MAO inhibitors;
• It is undesirable to stay in the sun for a long time;
• do not prescribe simultaneously with drugs that depress the nervous system and beta-blockers.

Contraindications:

• intolerance;
• severe impairment of renal and hepatic function;
• diabetes;
• lymphoma;
• myeloma;
• leukemia;
• Hodgkin's disease.

Price: from 520 rub.

Reviews from older people about medications with melatonin are mostly positive. Rarely, patients note the negative effects of medications, usually associated with ineffectiveness or the occurrence of allergic reactions.

Analogues: Velson, Melarithm, Sonnovan.

Prices for Melaxen tablets 12 pcs.

Prices for Melaxen tablets 24 pcs.

Donormil

The active substance doxylamine succinate is a histamine H1 receptor blocker. The drug has many side effects and contraindications. Use with caution in old age.

Pros:

• effervescent soluble tablets;
• has a sedative effect.

Minuses:

• the maximum concentration of the substance is reached no earlier than an hour;
• causes dry mouth;
• causes constipation;
• increases heart rate;
• causes urinary retention;
• causes dizziness.

Contraindications:

• glaucoma;
• carbohydrate metabolism disorder;
• difficulty urinating;
• prostate adenoma;
• taking antiparkinsonian drugs, atropine, central antihypertensive drugs, neuroleptics.

Price: from 122 rub.

More often you can find negative reviews from older people about this drug. Many people note lethargy during the day, decreased memory and attention.

Analogues: Reslip, Sondox, Sonmil.

Prices for Donormil tablets 30 pcs.;

Valocordin (Valoserdin, Corvalol)

Sedative drops contain phenobarbital. They dilate blood vessels and have a mild hypnotic and antispasmodic effect. Indicated for functional disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Pros:

• reduces blood pressure and heart rate;
• effective for neuroses;
• eliminates anxiety and feelings of restlessness.

Minuses:

• causes dizziness;
• allergic reactions may occur;
• the appearance of daytime sleepiness;
• psychomotor agitation in case of overdose;
• bromine accumulation;
• in case of overdose: confusion, ataxia;
• addictive.

Contraindications:

• brain diseases;
• traumatic brain injuries;
• liver and kidney failure;
• alcohol addiction;
• taking tranquilizers or antipsychotics;
• prescription of central nervous system stimulants.

Price: from 16 rub. (Corvalol) up to 340 rub. (Valocordin).

Good reviews about medications are more common. Negative responses are associated with inhibition with long-term use.

Analogues: Korvaltab, Korvaldin, Barboval.

Prices for Valocordin drops for oral administration 20 ml;

Prices for Valocordin drops for oral administration 50 ml;

Alternative to drugs

If insomnia is caused by external factors, then by eliminating the cause of the sleep disorder, it can be overcome without the use of drugs (baths, auto-training and breathing exercises):

1. Breathing exercises. It should be practiced before going to bed. Lying on your back, draw in your stomach as you exhale, controlling its movement with your hands. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. Inhale slowly through your nose, filling your stomach with air. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Do 20 repetitions.
2. Meditations. It is known that beginners often fall asleep during meditation. This happens due to complete relaxation of the body. You need to relieve tension gradually, moving from top to bottom: starting from your head and ending with your toes.
3. Warm baths . They will be especially beneficial after physical work or a hard day at work, as they relax, relieve muscle spasms, and reduce blood pressure. The water should be warm, but not hot. You can add pine extract, medicinal herbs and essential oils with a sedative effect (lemon balm, cypress, lavender), and sea salt.

Physical exercise will also bring tangible benefits, as it promotes more complete muscle relaxation. But if insomnia has become chronic, it becomes advisable to use medications for sleep.

Lungs

Elderly people are recommended to start therapy with drugs that have a mild sedative and hypnotic effect.

Afobazole

Afobazole belongs to the group of anxiolytics. It has a neuroprotective effect, reduces the severity of anxiety and irritability.

Pros:

• does not impair cognitive functions;
• quickly eliminated from the body;
• eliminates neurotic conditions.

Minuses:

• causes allergies;
• dyspeptic disorders (nausea, diarrhea);
• headache;
• The therapeutic effect develops after a few weeks.

Contraindications:

• galactose intolerance;
• treatment with Carbamazepine and Diazepam.

Price: from 390 rub.

Negative reviews are associated with high cost and lengthy treatment. It is not effective for severe sleep disorders.

Analogues: Tenoten, Phenibut, Adaptol.

Prices for Afobazole tablets 10 mg 60 pcs.;

Glycine

The active substance is an amino acid with an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. Improves metabolism in brain tissue, reduces psycho-emotional stress.

Pros:

• improves cognitive functions;
• helps to sleep;
• reduces the toxic effects of alcohol;
• helps with encephalopathy and ischemic stroke;
• reduces the severity of side effects of neuroleptics and antidepressants.

Minuses:

• may lower blood pressure;
• light sleeping pills.

Contraindication for use is individual intolerance.

Price: from 40 rub.

Doctors speak positively about the medicine, but with the caveat that Glycine should be taken only in combination with other sedatives. May not be effective as a sleep aid for older people.

Analogues: Glycised, Phenibut, Tenoten.

Prices for Glycine sublingual tablets 100 mg 50 pcs.

"Afobazol"

A very mild tranquilizer. In addition to relieving stress and anxiety, it also helps with insomnia. It does not interfere with concentration, does not impair memory, and does not reduce muscle tone. The medicine is absolutely devoid of withdrawal syndrome. This is one of the few tranquilizers that can be taken by the elderly. As a rule, medications of this series are not recommended for older people. These are usually powerful medications that can cause negative and irreversible changes in the nervous system.

After a stroke

After a stroke, one of the consequences is sleep disturbance. Insomnia can be triggered by mental pathologies due to cerebral circulatory disorders, apnea, and movement disorders. Insomnia medications should only be given to patients after a stroke after a doctor has written a prescription.

Donormil

The drug helps eliminate depression, which is a common accompaniment of post-stroke conditions. However, when prescribing, a number of side effects and contraindications of Donormil are taken into account. Doctors do not recommend treating insomnia with this drug, as patients may experience decreased cognitive function.

Prices for Donormil tablets 30 pcs.;

Zolpidem (Ivadal, Sanval, Ambien)

Refers to hypnotics, anxiolytics and sedatives. The action is similar to benzodiazepines. Scientists from the Stanford School of Medicine have found that in low doses the drug allows for faster recovery from a stroke by enhancing the activity of nerve cells.

Pros:

• has an anticonvulsant effect;
• an effective remedy even when prescribed minimal doses;
• normalizes sleep stages;
• does not cause drowsiness during the day;
• quickly begins to act.

Minuses:

• the appearance of headache, dizziness, double vision;
• development of paradoxical insomnia;
• anterograde amensia may develop;
• the occurrence of dyspeptic disorders and abdominal pain;
• development of behavioral disorders;
• development of addiction.

Contraindications:

• severe respiratory failure;
• sleep apnea;
• myasthenia gravis;
• allergy to benzodiazepines;
• severe pathologies of the liver and kidneys;
• lactose intolerance;
• simultaneous use of barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs, narcotic analgesics, Buprenofrine, Baclofen.

Price: from 900 rub.

Reviews from doctors about the medicine are positive as effective tablets for insomnia for the elderly. Not recommended for long-term therapy.

Analogs: Hypnogen, Zolsana, Snovitel.

Synthetic drugs for insomnia

Drugs with synthetic ingredients intended to combat sleep disorders, including insomnia (insomnia), are prescribed by a doctor.

Melaxen is such a sleeping pill. This is an effective treatment drug recommended for elderly patients diagnosed with primary insomnia. Taking it improves the quality of night's rest and guarantees vigor when waking up.

In addition, it has a mild calming effect. The advantage of this medicine is that it is not addictive.

However, taking it may cause an allergic reaction. Melaxen should not be taken by people suffering from autoimmune diseases or significant liver dysfunction.

Since taking synthetic drugs is fraught with many side effects, they are prescribed with great care. This is especially true for older people.

Homeopathic

For older people, medications based on natural ingredients are recommended. They do not affect the action of other drugs and have an adaptogenic and restorative effect. This sleeping pill is sold without a prescription.

Nervochel

The homeopathic remedy has a sedative, anticonvulsant and mild hypnotic effect. Contains plant extracts, cuttlefish ink sac substances, phosphoric acid, magnesium, bromides, valerian-zinc salt.

Pros:

• reduces nervous tension;
• helps with psycho-emotional exhaustion;
• relieves headaches;
• can be taken for mental illness;
• normalizes sleep;
• helps eliminate twitching and tremors.

Minuses:

• frequency of administration 3 times a day minimum;
• causes allergies.

Contraindications include allergies.

Price: from 350 rub.

Doctors do not note a strong hypnotic effect of the drug. It is believed that homeopathic medicine does not help with serious neurological problems.

Analogs: Glycine, Grandaxin, Homvio-Nevrin.

Prices for Nervochel sublingual tablets 50 pcs.

Notta

Contains plant extracts, phosphorus, zinc valerate. Available in drops and tablets. Prescribed for neurological disorders and insomnia.

Pros:

• relieve increased excitability;
• normalizes sleep;
• has a weak tranquilizing effect.

Minuses:

• not effective for severe insomnia;
• causes allergic reactions.

Contraindicated in case of individual intolerance.

Price: from 300 rub.

There are various reviews about the drug. Many patients do not observe the positive effect of the drug. Doctors prescribe it as an additional drug for the treatment of minor disorders of the nervous system.

Analogs: soothing collection, Novo-passit, Alora.

"Reslip"

In Russia, a generic version of Donormila is produced under the name Reslip. The active ingredient, as in the French original, is doxylamine succinate. The drug is devoid of many negative qualities, such as withdrawal syndrome and addiction. However, side effects can still occur when combined with alcohol and sedatives.