Safe sleeping pills ?
Thread Starter
Safe sleeping pills ?
As most would agree, the life of an airline pilot (an RPT issue, not a GA issue) working and sleeping odd hours can be difficult.
Are there any safe sleeping pills that pilots can use ?
To help you sleep during the day (when you naturally can't) so that you can fly during the night ?
Are there any safe sleeping pills that pilots can use ?
To help you sleep during the day (when you naturally can't) so that you can fly during the night ?
Last edited by John Citizen; 1st Mar 2008 at 04:35.
I totally agree with merlinxx. Medications that are safe at sea level may be dangerous at altitude. As some medications can linger in the body for extended periods, it is essential for pilots to have their medication prescribed by an aviation qualified doctor.
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Stay Away From Stilnox
John,
My DAME prescribed Stilnox (Zolpidem, the stuff in the news at the moment), because they don't have the 'hangover' or half-life that some traditional sleeping pills (Benzodiazepines?) do. (2hrs as opposed to anywhere from 6-100hrs).
I stopped taking them about 4 years ago after a few "events" occurred. And I was taking 1/2 the dosage (1/2 tab) i.e. 5mg.
So I would not recommend Stilnox based on first hand experience.
Good luck with your search.
My DAME prescribed Stilnox (Zolpidem, the stuff in the news at the moment), because they don't have the 'hangover' or half-life that some traditional sleeping pills (Benzodiazepines?) do. (2hrs as opposed to anywhere from 6-100hrs).
I stopped taking them about 4 years ago after a few "events" occurred. And I was taking 1/2 the dosage (1/2 tab) i.e. 5mg.
So I would not recommend Stilnox based on first hand experience.
Good luck with your search.
Last edited by Hugh Jarse; 29th Feb 2008 at 08:46.
Bottums Up
I have occasionally taken, at different times, temazepam and stilnox. Both prescribed by my DAME, for those occasions when sleep was elusive. One prescription for temazepam lasted about two or three years, the current stilnox about the same. I've not suffered adverse side effects from either.
Like Captain Claret, I have taken both temazepam and stilnox and have not noticed any side effects. In my case sleeping tablets are more like a placebo as getting off to sleep for that early stupid o'clock sign on seems much easier just knowing they are there in your overnight bag.
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On occasions I take tablets when I know it's the better alternative for me to not sleeping leading up to a duty. Stilnox is the one that works in my case in getting off to sleep but not all can tolerate and they have been known to be dangerous for some. Always see a doctor to work out what's best for you.
D
D
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As a shift worker (RFDS) I've used both Temaz and Stillnox, both perscribed by DAMEs. Found Tamaz to be a bit hit and miss (worked only some of the time) while Stillnox works fine.
I only take half a tablet and it knocks me out for a 3-4 hours (whole tablet did the same so cut back to half to save some money!
). When on night shift, I usually take it, have lunch then make sure I'm in bed within 30mins.
Side effects I've had are some memory loss and staggering around before getting to bed (usually after the 30min buffer). After waking I've had no side effects, even when flying. Other people I've worked with have had varying experiences with Stillnox. Guess it depends on the person.
Talk to your DAME and see what works best for you.
I only take half a tablet and it knocks me out for a 3-4 hours (whole tablet did the same so cut back to half to save some money!
). When on night shift, I usually take it, have lunch then make sure I'm in bed within 30mins. Side effects I've had are some memory loss and staggering around before getting to bed (usually after the 30min buffer). After waking I've had no side effects, even when flying. Other people I've worked with have had varying experiences with Stillnox. Guess it depends on the person.
Talk to your DAME and see what works best for you.
My father is a DAME, and is comfortable with me taking stilnox. I have no reason to distrust him. However that said, I did learn a few lessons from taking it (which he actually cautioned me about).
-The more you rely on it, the less effective it is.
-Should only be used as a last resort (ie, try to relax, switch off etc).
-Is not a permanent solution, or an easy fix.
-It shouldnt be taken with alcohol, or on an empty stomache.
(I made these mistakes at some point or another - and he was actually right!?)
With that in mind, I now rarely need it. I keep a box with me, and perhaps rely on it 1 night every other month, perhaps prior to an early start.
I did learn some other lessons however -
If you find yourself not sleeping or sleeping too much often, get a sleep study done. Get a full health check up, and find out whats going on! Yes its a bit of fussing around, but in the end, it will work wonders and your quality of life will improve drastically. Make sure you do it with the docs guidance, and get it right first time.
-The more you rely on it, the less effective it is.
-Should only be used as a last resort (ie, try to relax, switch off etc).
-Is not a permanent solution, or an easy fix.
-It shouldnt be taken with alcohol, or on an empty stomache.
(I made these mistakes at some point or another - and he was actually right!?)
With that in mind, I now rarely need it. I keep a box with me, and perhaps rely on it 1 night every other month, perhaps prior to an early start.
I did learn some other lessons however -
If you find yourself not sleeping or sleeping too much often, get a sleep study done. Get a full health check up, and find out whats going on! Yes its a bit of fussing around, but in the end, it will work wonders and your quality of life will improve drastically. Make sure you do it with the docs guidance, and get it right first time.
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When I travel internationally and have the usual jet lag problem I take Melatonin and works great to adjust the day-night cycle.
It's actually dietary supplement and not a medication but the problem is that works only at night because it is basically a sleeping hormone, so if you need something to sleep with sunlight Melatonin may not be indicated.
It's actually dietary supplement and not a medication but the problem is that works only at night because it is basically a sleeping hormone, so if you need something to sleep with sunlight Melatonin may not be indicated.
I have used Stilnox in the past, and found it to be an excellent option.
Taking it 30 minutes before you want to sleep, and ensuring you are in bed with the lights out by the time that 30 minutes rolls around saw me sleeping every time. If you try to stay awake past the 30 minutes, you start to run into problems, not the least being, the sleeping pill isnt effective.
The best thing about Stilnox, though, compared with other pills, is the ability to wake up eight hours later and feel refreshed and energetic. Stilnox didnt, for me, at least, have any residual tiredness the following day.
I also did not experience any of the weird things that have been reported in the media. Perhaps there is a parallel in the world of pharmeceuticals where the media beat-up and over-sensationalise the rare, isolated case, and allow the public to believe it happens all the time.
Cherokees with the ability to drop the wings off before a crash, anyone?
Taking it 30 minutes before you want to sleep, and ensuring you are in bed with the lights out by the time that 30 minutes rolls around saw me sleeping every time. If you try to stay awake past the 30 minutes, you start to run into problems, not the least being, the sleeping pill isnt effective.
The best thing about Stilnox, though, compared with other pills, is the ability to wake up eight hours later and feel refreshed and energetic. Stilnox didnt, for me, at least, have any residual tiredness the following day.
I also did not experience any of the weird things that have been reported in the media. Perhaps there is a parallel in the world of pharmeceuticals where the media beat-up and over-sensationalise the rare, isolated case, and allow the public to believe it happens all the time.
Cherokees with the ability to drop the wings off before a crash, anyone?
Beau_Peep
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you are asking for troubles...
hi there.., don't even think of taking pills to induce sleep.. would aggravate the situation badly and you would get hooked to pills badly...
if sleeping pills were 'safe' it would be been easily available in the market and every pilot would keep a jar of pills in his flight bag... this is not reality, so it is obvious that sleeping pills can't be safe...
try to avoid such things as much as you can.. I am trying yoga and meditation since I have taken up this new job in India.. and it is really helping me...
best wishes..
if sleeping pills were 'safe' it would be been easily available in the market and every pilot would keep a jar of pills in his flight bag... this is not reality, so it is obvious that sleeping pills can't be safe...
try to avoid such things as much as you can.. I am trying yoga and meditation since I have taken up this new job in India.. and it is really helping me...
best wishes..
to a certain degree indigo, you are correct.
however, using your train of thought, the augmentin/clamoxyl (antibiotic that generally works a treat for urti) I have in my overnight bag is dangerous too? Perhaps - but only if I am careless and self administer it outside the specific instruction I recieved both in writing (on the packet) and verbally (from doctor).
the majority of situations I encounter now, I can sleep with little difficulty. The root of the problem was far more complicated than 'working nights' or 'shiftwork' or perhaps running myself into the ground.
That said, I can see, and infact I personally derive, benefits from taking the odd sleeping tablet.
Not to sound dramatic, but sleeping disorders can be very complicated - and lead to something I believe is overly prevalent in aviation - depression and fatigue.
Anything that works is worth a try, provided the person undertaking the course has reasonable expectations, and is responsible enough to self administer in accordance with some basic instructions.
Yes, sleeping pills can have adverse affects! But these are clearly listed on the packet, and are usually verbally explained by any doctor worth the gap fee/pain that is dealing with medicare!
The adverse affects, although in some cases traumatic for those concerned, are few and far between.
however, using your train of thought, the augmentin/clamoxyl (antibiotic that generally works a treat for urti) I have in my overnight bag is dangerous too? Perhaps - but only if I am careless and self administer it outside the specific instruction I recieved both in writing (on the packet) and verbally (from doctor).
the majority of situations I encounter now, I can sleep with little difficulty. The root of the problem was far more complicated than 'working nights' or 'shiftwork' or perhaps running myself into the ground.
That said, I can see, and infact I personally derive, benefits from taking the odd sleeping tablet.
Not to sound dramatic, but sleeping disorders can be very complicated - and lead to something I believe is overly prevalent in aviation - depression and fatigue.
Anything that works is worth a try, provided the person undertaking the course has reasonable expectations, and is responsible enough to self administer in accordance with some basic instructions.
Yes, sleeping pills can have adverse affects! But these are clearly listed on the packet, and are usually verbally explained by any doctor worth the gap fee/pain that is dealing with medicare!
The adverse affects, although in some cases traumatic for those concerned, are few and far between.
Seasonally Adjusted
Valerian can be useful for switching off an over-active brain when you need to get to sleep.
Originates from the Valeriana officinalis herb and available at most chemists, health food stores and even supermarkets.
Originates from the Valeriana officinalis herb and available at most chemists, health food stores and even supermarkets.
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Warning, Valerian tastes absolutely terrible, i have woken up with the most disgusting breath after Valerian.
Temazapen is fantastic, do not take with other tablets or major alcohol consumption ( Heath Ledger ring any bells ).
Temazapen is fantastic, do not take with other tablets or major alcohol consumption ( Heath Ledger ring any bells ).
Yet another example of the decline in standards in GA in this country!
Back when men were men and pilots were ......... well, something else, a good nights sleep was guaranteed by getting thoroughly pissed before hitting the sack!
Dr
Back when men were men and pilots were ......... well, something else, a good nights sleep was guaranteed by getting thoroughly pissed before hitting the sack!
Dr