I had gruesome days and had some pleasant ones! Sad fact but being on the gravey doesn't really get much of a treat when it comes to slumber parties and snooza-palooza! READ: in most days? We don't get any! Getting a good night's rest and following a regular sleeping schedule is an important part of maintaining both physical health as well as mental health. Yet as we need to make moolah and feed the younglings we disrupt this and irregularity of the pattern is always jeopardized. This is not for the weak hearts and frail health. Stamina and energy are your jewels when it comes to the inevitable! Others turn to supplements, some wants to go natural but some prefers instant remedy, tada! SLEEPING PILLS
Medical studies approved such medication. Quick question though, are they safe? Physicians agreed they are safe but psychologists disagrees since the effect is short term only and what they fear is the long term effect.
Initially sleeping pills were the standard treatment for insomnia but nowadays they became the mainstream treatment for sleeping disorders.
The most common are OTC sleeping pills, non-BZD hypnotic medications, BZDs and Sedative antidepressants. The OTCs contain antihistamines to induce drowsiness and are effective when used occasionally and does not require a prescription. Local drugstore sells Sominex, Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Advil PM, Nytol
Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotic Medications needs to be prescribed and only used for short-term or occasional usage, designed to metabolize quickly to reduce side effects. As an insomnia treatment we have Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta, Zolpidem and Zopiclone
BZD(benzodiazepines) that includes Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Restoril, and Dalmane. BZDs promote sleep by depressing the neural activity of the brain and most effective for short-term insomnia because they reduce the time required to fall asleep, decrease the number and length of nighttime awakenings, and increase total sleep time compared to a placebo and it also work by causing amnesia so that we don't remember being awake during the night.
Sedative antidepressants may not be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women and individuals with a history of heart problems, heart attacks, high blood pressure, seizures, hyperthyroidism, liver disease, glaucoma, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder but is a very effective medication in treating Insomnia and also offers a complete treatment for depression. Mirtazapine and Trazodone are a few that can be used.
And like any other drug they tend to be abused causing the disadvantages and side effects such as low dosages not working anymore to name a few: dry mouth, dizziness, prolonged drowsiness. Headaches, rash, nausea, vomiting, decreased sex drive, chest pains, lightheadedness, and abdominal pain. In addition, these drugs may cause severe allergic reactions, facial swelling and sleep behaviors such as sleep driving, sleep walking, and eating. Euphoria, episodes of amnesia, weakness, coordination problems, low blood pressure, blurred vision and liver failure.
Personally, I don't like the taste of medicine: BITTER. Makes me even sicker and puke my inside out. So I always go for the natural remedies. I run a whole kilometer and if breathing allows, two to three more kilometers would sore your body up and a glass of milk does the trick. If possible avoid STRESS those are the blatant cause of sleeplessness. 
Source:
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-disorders/archives/insomnia_drjacobs_benefits_drawbacks_sleeping_pills.htm
http://www.epigee.org/sleeping_pills.html
