Before we get into listing the names of sleeping pills available today, let's first discuss why there exists a need for these drugs. Sleeping pills, which are either sedatives or hypnotics, are used to remedy common sleep disorders and provide temporary relief for more serious mental and emotional stressors. We emphasize the term 'temporary' because many of us misconceive sleeping pills to be solutions to problems. They are not. Sleeping pills are merely tools to reduce the effects of anxiety or some physical disorder that causes sleep problems.

Having said these, the fact still remains that a lot of people get addicted to these drugs. Because taking sleeping pills will definitely detach you from any kind of stress you might be feeling now, albeit for only a short term, many see it as a quick fix, nonetheless. It is due to this that sleeping pills are classified as prescription drugs, as we do have the tendency to abuse them.

Now let us identify sleeping pills. The more popular names of sleeping pills nowadays include Ambien, or zolpidem tartrate, Sonata, or zaleplon, and Lunesta, or eszopiclone. These three drugs are called hypnotics, or medications designed to result in the partial loss of consciousness or deep sleep. Doctors advise that Ambien and Sonata be taken for a one to two week period only, as they have relatively strong formulations; but Lunesta is considered safe for long-term use.

As of present, the Food and Drug Administration is conducting trials on two more sleeping pills, so far called Gaboxodol and Ramelteon. Ramelteon aims to replicate the sedative effect of the melatonin hormone, while Gaboxodol mimics the effect of GABA, a kind of amino acid that helps induce sleep. This is news that deserves the applause of the millions of insomniacs all over the world, who are continuously looking for the best and safest way to win over their disorders.

If you're one of these people, you should be thankful you live in a day and age where medical developments and innovations are possible. Looking back at the past, one cannot simply imagine how life must have been for those whose rest periods were few and far between. Sleeping pills will remain in the market and will further see improvements so long as generations after continue to encounter reasons to elude sleep — which, in realistic terms, could be forever.