What Are Some Unusual Side Effects of Using Sleep Medication? 

Take a sleep medication? Discover some of the rare side effects that you might experience if you take a sleep aid to help you rest better.  

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Regarding our sleep, it can be hard to get a good night’s rest. If you have turned to sleep medication, you’ve likely felt all the benefits of the prescription or over-the-counter support: enhanced sleep duration and quality, drowsiness, and more. However, what about the unexpected side effects of sleep medication? If you’ve felt any dizziness or had an upset stomach occasionally, it may have been a side effect of using sleep medication.  
 
For those curious to learn about the odd side effects of taking sleep medications, read on! We’re going to explore some of the most unusual things you might experience if you’re taking these sleep aids, including sleepwalking, hallucinations, and more. We’ll also provide you with some guidance on what to do if this sounds like your situation and why it’s important to reach out to a qualified healthcare professional.  

What Are Common Side Effects of Sleep Medication? 

Before we define some of the odd side effects, let’s explore some of the common and expected side effects people report. While no one likes side effects, there are some that come with nearly every sleep aid, including drowsiness, dizziness, or even dependency on the substance. For instance, you might have started to take an over-the-counter sleep aid such as melatonin, but after so much time taking it, you cannot get to bed without it.  
 
You might also find that you can have issues with oversleeping, nightmares, dry mouth, nausea, headaches, or even difficulty concentrating. All of these are considered common side effects, but there are some uncommon side effects that are definitely not the norm for those who take sleep aids or prescriptions to help them rest.  

The Lesser-Known or Unusual Side Effects of Sleep Aids 

Regardless of what medication you’re taking to help you with sleep, there are some side effects that are just not common. Let’s take a look at some of the odd side effects people have reported, and scientists have found when studying these types of medicine: 

  • Sleepwalking: It’s true! If you take sleep aids, there are some rare cases of people sleepwalking. This has happened when people have taken nonbenzodiazepines to help with insomnia, but led to them sleepwalking instead, leading to a different kind of sleep disruption other than insomnia.  

  • Sleep-Related Hallucinations: When taking the same type of sleep medication, some people have even reported having hallucinations. They experienced vivid, often frightening, visual or auditory events that occurred during their transition from wakefulness to sleep, leading them to either struggle with sleep or at least be able to recount it in the morning.  

  • Instances of Amnesia: Unfortunately, hallucinations appear to be only one part of the odd side effects that you might experience with sleep medications, as some people even report amnesia. This occurred shortly after taking the drug, leading to discontinued use of the sleep medications to eliminate any further side effects (Source: PubMed). Some cases have shown patients even had memory loss!  

  • Abnormal Thoughts or Behaviors: If you have ever acted out or thought something odd that doesn’t seem like you, it might be because of your sleep medication. Studies have shown that people can experience abnormal thoughts or behavior, confusion, aggression, or even worsening moods. This can be scary, especially if it comes with other odd side effects like hallucinations. 

  • Emotional Instability: Similar to abnormal thoughts and behavior, you might also experience odd mood swings or depression. Some patients who have taken sleep medications like nonbenzodiazepines have experienced worsening depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and even mood issues. If you experience this, it’s best to visit your primary care provider to ensure that it is because of the medication, not an alternative issue.  

  • Impulsivity: Alongside abnormal behavior, you might also experience impulsiveness that outweighs previous episodes. If you find yourself engaging in uncharacteristic behavior or activities that are risky while under the influence of the substances, it might be because of the sleep aids that you are taking. 

  • Unusual Digestive Problems: Unfortunately, some sleep aids can come with unexpected challenges, like nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps. While this is rare, there have been cases of patients who experienced abdominal pain. It could be that this is due to other situations or challenges you might be facing, but regardless, it shows that sleep aids can cause some digestive upset.  

  • Allergic Reactions: There is always the chance that you encounter an allergic reaction as a result of taking a sleep aid. Whether it’s expected because of something in the drug or a new issue, it could lead to rashes, itchiness, skin issues, breathing difficulties, or even swelling in the throat. When this happens, it’s best to receive medical attention right away.  

How to Manage the Risks of Uncommon Side Effects from Sleep Aids

The best way to manage the risks of side effects from medications like sleep aids is to know your likelihood. It’s always best to consult a healthcare provider before you try a new sleep medication or change drugs. You should also keep track of your side effects and report them, especially if they are unusual. In some cases, you may need to change to a different sleep aid, and that’s okay. The most important thing is for you to find the right support for your situation, and a healthcare provider can help you determine, based on your situation, what the right decision is for you and your lifestyle.  

Have You Had Any of These Unusual Side Effects? 

If you have had any of these unusual side effects, then you know how shocking they can be when they happen. We hope that you learned something new about sleep medications and some of the things to expect when you take them. While these can happen, it’s important to remember that these are rare, not common. What sleep medications do you use, and what effects have you noticed happen when you take these sleep aids regularly?  

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Written by

Marie Soukup

Marie Soukup is a seasoned copywriter, editor, and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a certificate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). With years of experience working with brands across diverse industries, Marie is passionate about holistic health and crafting compelling content.

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