Alcohol and sleeping pills
The interaction of alcohol and any sleeping pills is a special case of the interaction of two substances that reduce or suppress the activity of the central nervous system.
Despite the variety of sleeping pills, it`s safe to say that substances that reduce the level of functioning of the nervous system will enhance each other's actions. This is where most of the dangers arise for a combination of alcohol and sleeping pills. This is especially true of synthetic medicines.
Regardless of the order of admission, a person risks encountering too much sedation (deep sleep), which will not allow him to wake up with some kind of internal (vomiting) or external (fire) accident.
Also, do not forget about the powerful additive effect that is created with frequent use of sedative combinations.
But let's briefly run through the main types of sleeping pills and the possible risks of their interaction with alcohol.
Benzodiazepine tranquilizers (Diazepam, Temazepam, Triazolam). Alcohol enhances the effects of benzodiazepines and vice versa. In some, for example, Temazepam, alcohol, in addition, can provoke paradoxical reactions: excitement, aggressive behavior, pathological drunkenness.
Non-benzodiazepine sleeping pills (Zolpidem, Zaleplon, Eszopiclone). Alcohol in combination with these substances also increases the depressing effect on the central nervous system and increases the risk of respiratory depression. Also, the effects of medications the next day after taking with alcohol may be worse. In addition to this, alcohol increases the addictive effect of sleeping pills.
Tricyclic antidepressants (Doxepin). The system works flawlessly here too - alcohol may potentiate some of the CNS depressant effects of Doxepin.
Antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Doxylamine). Increased sedative and hypnotic effects. There may be problems with urination.
Barbiturates (Butabarbital, Secobarbital, Phenobarbital). Due to the narrow therapeutic breadth, barbiturates are particularly dangerous and cause toxic effects by themselves. What to say about the combination with alcohol - all the negativity multiplies by an order of magnitude. This includes a whole bunch of side effects: from loss of coordination, loss of control over emotions, uncontrolled behavior to fixation amnesia, sedation of the level of surgical anesthesia and bronchospasm, which is responsible for most of the deaths associated with these substances.
Melatonin Agonists (Ramelteon). In the case of Ramelteon, it can be cautiously stated that the risks of excessive CNS depression are slightly lower. However, the drug is not recommended to be combined with alcohol, as this may increase the risk of uncontrolled and unusual behavior, as well as exacerbation of depression.
Orexin receptor antagonists (Suvorexant, Lemborexant, Daridorexant). Here the situation also looks a little safer, but the risk of depression of the central nervous system remains. There may also be a violation of daytime sleep and an increase in psychomotor disorders.
I did not consider herbal and mildly active sleep products, such as valerian, chamomile, melatonin and others. They are also concerned with the general rule about the increased depression of the central nervous system, however, it is necessary to try very hard so that their action causes serious harm to the body in combination with alcohol.
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