The short answer
Prescription sleeping pills such as zopiclone and zolpidem work in the short term: in older people they added about 25 minutes of sleep a night. But they cause next-day drowsiness, falls and memory problems, and the body gets used to them, so UK doctors prescribe them for no more than about 4 weeks. NICE recommends CBT for insomnia first.
Strong evidence
Several good randomised trials or a solid review of them agree, or very large long-term studies are backed by trials. How we grade
On this page
What sleeping pills are prescribed in the UK?
| Type | Examples | How they work |
|---|---|---|
| Z-drugs | Zopiclone, zolpidem | Boost GABA, the brain’s main calming chemical |
| Benzodiazepines | Temazepam, nitrazepam, loprazolam | Boost GABA, longer-acting and more habit-forming |
| Orexin blockers | Daridorexant (Quviviq) | Block orexin, a chemical that keeps you awake |
Z-drugs are the most common. Benzodiazepines are used less often now because of the risk of dependence. Melatonin is also prescription only, and has its own guide.
How well do they work?
They do work, which is why we grade the evidence strong, but the gain is smaller than many people expect. A review in the BMJ pooled 24 trials with 2,417 people aged 60 and over with insomnia. Compared with placebo, sleeping pills:
- added about 25 minutes of sleep a night,
- reduced the number of times people woke by less than one,
- slightly improved sleep quality.
Against that, people taking them were 4.8 times as likely to have problems with memory or thinking, and 3.8 times as likely to report daytime tiredness. The authors concluded that in people over 60, the benefits may not justify the risks.
What are the risks?
- Next-day drowsiness and slower reactions, which affect driving even when you feel fine.
- Falls and hip fractures, especially in older people.
- Tolerance and dependence. The NHS says zopiclone and zolpidem usually aren’t prescribed for more than 4 weeks because the body gets used to them, and that it’s possible to become addicted.
- Rebound insomnia for a few nights after stopping.
- Unusual behaviour, rarely, such as sleepwalking or eating or driving while not fully awake. Stop and tell your doctor if this happens.
- Dangerous combinations with alcohol, opioid painkillers and other sedatives, which can slow breathing. Tell your doctor if you have sleep apnoea.
When will a GP prescribe one?
Usually only for severe insomnia that is badly affecting your life, or a short crisis, for the shortest time and at the lowest dose. NICE recommends daridorexant for insomnia that has lasted at least three months only when CBT for insomnia has been tried and hasn’t worked, or isn’t available or suitable, with a review after three months.
For long-term insomnia, CBT works as well as pills in the short term and better in the long term, without the side effects. If you already take sleeping pills, ask your GP about CBT for insomnia and a plan to cut down slowly.
Keep reading
- Weighted blankets for sleep: what the evidence shows
Do weighted blankets help you sleep? What the main trial found, who it applies to, how heavy a blanket should be, and who shouldn't use one.
Weak - Melatonin for sleep: does it work, and can you get it in the UK?
What melatonin does, how much it helps sleep and jet lag in trials, why it is prescription only in the UK, and the problem with supplements bought online.
Moderate - Magnesium for sleep: does it help?
What the trials show about magnesium supplements and sleep, which people might benefit, safe doses in the UK, and who should avoid it.
Weak
Common questions
How long can I take zopiclone for?
The NHS says treatment usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks, and it's not usually prescribed for more than 4 weeks, because your body gets used to it and it stops working as well. It's also possible to become addicted to it.
Can I drive after taking a sleeping pill?
Not if you feel drowsy, and many people are still impaired the next morning without realising it. It's illegal in the UK to drive if a medicine impairs your driving, and some benzodiazepines, including temazepam, have specific legal limits. Ask your pharmacist how long to wait.
What is daridorexant?
Daridorexant (Quviviq) is a newer type of sleeping pill that blocks orexin, a brain chemical that keeps you awake, rather than sedating the whole brain. NICE recommends it for adults whose insomnia has lasted at least 3 months, but only when CBT for insomnia has been tried and not worked, or isn't available or suitable.
How do I stop taking sleeping pills?
Talk to your GP. If you have taken them for more than a few weeks, your doctor will usually reduce the dose slowly, because stopping suddenly can bring back insomnia for a few nights and cause withdrawal symptoms. CBT for insomnia makes it easier to come off them.
References
- NHS. Zopiclone.nhs.uk
- NHS. Zolpidem.nhs.uk
- Glass J et al. Sedative hypnotics in older people with insomnia: meta-analysis of risks and benefits. BMJ, 2005.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- NICE. Daridorexant for treating long-term insomnia (TA922), 2023.nice.org.uk
- Sateia MJ et al. Clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2017.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- GOV.UK. Drugs and driving: the law.gov.uk
First published 4 November 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll correct it. Read our editorial policy.