What is a sleeping pill?
Q: What is a sleeping pill?
A: A sleeping pill, also known as a sedative, is a drug that people take to help them sleep. It calms them and makes them very relaxed.
Q: What are the different types of sedatives?
A: There are different kinds of sedatives including pills that help people fall asleep, pills that help people keep sleeping (not to wake up during the night), and pills that calm people down without making them sleep.
Q: How long does it usually take for a sedative to act?
A: Most sedatives act very fast, usually within 10-15 minutes.
Q: Do you need a prescription from your doctor to get sedatives?
A: Yes, most sedatives are highly addictive so you need a prescription from your doctor in order to get access to them. If taken for an extended period of time they can become addictive.
Q: What should someone who has taken a sedative not do?
A: Someone who has taken a sedative should not operate any machines, drive a car or drink alcohol as this may make the effect of the pill bigger.
Q: What happens when someone addicted to sedatives stops taking them?
A: When someone addicted to sedatives stops taking them they may experience insomnia (being unable to sleep), restlessness, anxiety (feeling fear), convulsions and seizures. Some addictions can also be psychological; when users stop taking the drug they may feel depressed.
