Sleep aids, hypnotic drugs, are a form of prescription drug used to aid people in falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or staying asleep longer. These drugs are generally divided into two classes: sedative-hypnotics and non-benzodiazepines. Each type of sleeping pill contains different active ingredients, and the amount of each ingredient in a sleeping pill can vary greatly depending on the specific medication.
Sedative-hypnotics, such as benzodiazepines, are the oldest and most common class of sleeping pills. These drugs bind to brain receptors, resulting in a soothing effect and encouraging sleep. A benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam, diazepam, or temazepam is the primary active ingredient in most sedative-hypnotic drugs. The amount of benzodiazepine in a sleeping tablet can vary from 0.5 mg to ten grams or more.
Non-benzodiazepines are a newer class of sleeping tablets that have become increasingly popular in recent years. These drugs also bind to receptors in the brain in order to produce a calming effect, but they are less likely to cause dependence or addiction than benzodiazepines. Zopidem, eszopiclone, and zaleplon are among the common active ingredients in non-benzodiazepines. Any of the ingredients in a sleeping tablet can range from 1 mg to 15 mg or more.
Many sleeping pills also contain multiple inactive ingredients in addition to the active ingredients. These can range from simple compounds, such as lactose and magnesium stearate, to more advanced ones, such as polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. The amount of each inactive ingredient in a sleeping pill is usually small, and does not typically exceed 1 mg.
Overall, the amount of each ingredient in a sleeping pill can vary greatly depending on the specific drug used. Sedative-hypnotics typically contain 0.5 mg to ten grams of benzodiazepine, while non-benzodiazepines can contain 1 mg to 15 mg of the active ingredient. In addition, most sleeping pills contain small amounts of several inactive ingredients, such as lactose and magnesium stearate.’