" affects millions of people, and new sleep aids and other remedies claiming to solve the problem are plentiful. What's the best course of action and how do you know if sleeping pills or other sleep preparations are safe enough for regular use? "

"Before taking an over-the-counter sleep aid, speak to your doctor. Gary K. Zammit, PhD, director of the Sleep Disorders Institute at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City, advises that "not all sleep aids are the same and over-the counter preparations may not be recommended for your problem. Overall, one should keep in mind that insomnia not only results in considerable nighttime distress for the insomnia sufferer, it is associated with next-day impairment, and may even have effects on health and mood.""

"Dr. Zammit also stresses that everyone's needs are different. "Some people need to use a medication nightly, [while] others need medication that offers flexible options and few side effects," he says."

" Sleeping pills are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Use these tips when considering the use of sleep aids: "

"Don't automatically take a pill every night; use the medication only when you must have an uninterrupted night of sleep. Even then, it's a good idea to take only a few sleeping pills per week."

"Sleep aids containing antihistamines are common and include medications such as Tylenol PM, Nytol, and Unisom, among others. Some people take a pure antihistamine drug, such as Benadryl, to help them fall asleep. The main problem with these remedies is known as the "hangover effect," in which the next morning you may feel sluggish, sleepy, or have difficulty performing daily tasks."

"Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted in the brain and helps our bodies to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement, rather than as a medication, and is therefore not subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for standards of potency and purity, so proceed with caution."

" Dr. Zammit concurs: "Over-the-counter health food products are not exposed to the same kind of rigorous clinical testing as prescription medications. Therefore, people should speak with their doctors and consider prescription medication if it is advised. Insomnia results in distress "

" There is some research that supports that melatonin may help treat jet lag and insomnia. However, initial studies are incomplete and an optimal dosage has not officially been established. If you decide to try melatonin, be sure to first consult your physician. "

" Some prescription sleep aids, such as the benzodiazepines, have been associated with problems of dependence, but, according to Dr. Zammit, "recent data suggests that most people who are given sleep aids use them appropriately." Studies are showing that dependence may be less of a problem with newer medications, such as Ambien and Sonata . "

" According to the National Sleep foundation, many factors can influence potential side effects of prescription sleep aids, including: "

"The drug's half-life (the amount of time it takes for one-half of the drug to be lost through biological processes)"

" . This occurs when a person stops taking a sleep
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