If you've been having trouble sleeping for more than a couple of night, then the first thing that you should do is pay a visit to your doctor. Insomnia is usually the indicator of a more serious problem, and that's something you should get checked out as soon as possible.

After you have talked with your doctor, he or she may suggest that you start taking some prescription sleeping pills. You should be aware of possible problems caused by sleeping bills before you fill your script. Prescription sleeping pills are not all that they are made out to be, and they could even be bad for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that insomnia is usually one of the symptoms of a more serious problem. Treating insomnia does not mean that you are going to really cure whatever is causing it. Prescription sleeping pills are only treating the insomnia, so you are better off trying over the counter sleeping pills and save money.

OTC sleeping pills are pretty much going to do the same exact thing as prescription sleep aids without as many side effects. Although both types can have side effects, the side effects associated with prescription pills are usually much worse. In particular, they carry a serious risk of dependency that can create other ongoing issues.

If you start taking prescription sleeping pills, you may find that you're no longer able to sleep without them. Even after whatever was causing your insomnia is gone, you may start suffering from "rebound insomnia" caused by the pills. In some cases, you might even suffer withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and migraines.

For that reason, you're better off just sticking with over the counter sleeping pills. They aren't as powerful, so they're less likely to get you hooked. They don't require a prescription and are generally pretty cheap, making them an all around superior option to prescription sleeping pills.