Pharmacists Raise Alarm Over Sleeping Pill Dependence Among Night Workers

Pharmacists have warned night-shift workers against frequent use of sleeping pills to induce daytime sleep, saying prolonged or inappropriate use may lead to dependence, addiction, impaired concentration and reduced alertness.

The pharmacists also cautioned that some sleeping medicines could cause drowsiness and grogginess after waking, potentially affecting workers who have to resume duty shortly after taking the drugs.

They advised people experiencing difficulty sleeping after night shifts to seek professional medical guidance instead of routinely relying on sleeping medication.

The experts further warned against combining sleeping pills with alcohol or other medicines that depress the central nervous system, saying such combinations could increase the risk of serious complications.

The World Health Organisation has noted that tolerance and dependence on some sedatives and sleeping medicines can develop after a short period of use.

It also lists drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and difficulty concentrating among possible effects.

The WHO warns that combining sedatives and sleeping pills with alcohol, opioids or other central nervous system depressants can significantly increase the risk of overdose and death.

In Nigeria, the National Drug Use Survey estimated that 481,000 people aged 15 to 64 used tranquilizers or sedatives in 2017, representing 0.5 per cent of the population in that age group.

A Nigerian mental health survey involving 6,752 adults across 21 states also found that 11.8 per cent had experienced insomnia in the previous 12 months.

The Superintendent Pharmacist at Engraced Pharmacy, Idimu, Lagos State, Jonah Okotie, said regular use of sleeping pills could result in dependence, addiction and reduced cognitive function.

Okotie said impaired cognition could increase workers’ vulnerability to accidents, particularly when they return to work while still experiencing the effects of medication.

He advised night-shift workers not to rely on sleeping pills to force themselves to sleep after returning home during the day.

The pharmacist also expressed concern over the unauthorised sale and distribution of some sleeping medicines, particularly drugs that require medical assessment and prescription.

He called for stringer enforcement, monitoring and proper record-keeping to control access to such medicines.

Okotie further warned against taking sleeping pills with alcohol or other medicines that depress the central nervous system.

He said combining substances with similar depressant effects could intensify their impact on the brain and increase the associated health risks.

The pharmacist identified behavioural changes and an inability to sleep without medication as possible signs of dependence.

He advised affected individuals to seek medical attention and encouraged family members, friends and employers to support people experiencing dependence.

For night-shift workers who need to sleep during the day, Okotie recommended creating an environment that promotes natural sleep.

He advised workers to reduce activities that keep the mind active before bedtime, including excessively phone use and other stimulating activities.

He also advised night workers to avoid coffee, kolanut, energy drinks and other caffeine-containing products when preparing for sleep.

Also speaking with Journalists, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Welnex Pharmacy, Lagos State, Chioma Omattah, said sleeping medicines could disrupt the body’s natural sleep pattern, particularly among night-shift workers.

She explained that night workers already had to adjust their normal sleep-wake cycle because of their work schedules and said medication could further interfere with the body’s natural processes.

Omattah said sleeping medicines differed in their effects and dependence risks, noting that some could be habit-forming.

She said users of some habit-forming medicines could experience grogginess after waking, which could affect their alertness, concentration and ability to function.

The pharmacist advised people to use sleeping medicines under the supervision of qualified pharmacists or physicians, particularly when they are taking other medications.

She said healthcare professionals could advise on appropriate dosage, possible drug interactions and the duration of a medicine’s effects.

Omattah also warned against combining sleeping medicines with alcohol, saying the combination could excessively suppress breathing and heart rate.

She identified the inability to sleep without medication as one of the common signs of dependence.

She advised people who had developed dependence to seek professional help rather than attempting to manage or discontinue the medication on their own.

According to her, treatment could involve psychological support and, depending on the medicine involved, gradual reduction of the dosage under professional supervision.

For workers struggling to sleep during the day, Omattah recommended a dark, quiet and comfortable sleeping environment.

She also advised reducing screen exposure from mobile phones and televisions before bedtime.

The pharmacists stressed that sleeping medicines do not carry identical risks, with the effects depending on the specific drug and its class.

They urged people experiencing persistent sleep difficulties to consult qualified healthcare professionals before using sleeping medication regularly.

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