I will name the different categories of drugs that are used as sleeping aids and the drugs that are included in them. Some work better than others and I will rate them one star as worse and four star as the most helpful. I'm not going to name all the drugs for each category but just the ones most useful so basically all the drugs that I name you might want to consider, regardless of my rating. These are only drugs that I have tried, I won't name all of them. I will make a note of my suggested dose in consideration that you haven't used them before (No tolerance).
Benzodiazepines and Hypnotics
These drugs are very addictive and shouldn't be used for longer than 2-4 weeks as they wont work anymore unless you raise them to a ridiculous dose.
Triazolam .5mg (Halcion)**** Diazepam (Valium) **
Temazepam 30mg (Restoril) ****
Estrazolam 3mg (ProSom) *
Clonazepam 1-2mg (Klonopin) ***
Nitrazepam 20mg (Mogadon) ****
The following drug is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class but with similar effects for help with insomnia
Zolpidem (Ambien) *
Anti-Psychotics
These drugs are usually only prescribed for insomnia when it is induced from a mental disorder or for those who already suffer a mental disorder. Be careful with long-term use, anti-psychotics may cause permanent msucle problems similar to DT's which can be fatal
Quetiapine fumarate 25-50mg (Seroquel) ***
Olanzapine 5-10mg (Zyprexa) **
Risperidone 1mg increased to 2mg following days (Risperdal) *
Haloperidol 2-4mg (Haldol) ***
Anti-Histamines
Anti-histamines are used to help with allergies but they also have sedative properties that can help you with getting sleep.
Diphenhydramine 75mg (Benadryl) **
Promethazine 50mg (Phenergan) **
Hydroxyzine 50-75mg (Vistiril) ****
Doxylamine 25-50mg (Unisom Sleep Tabs) *
Anti-Depressants
Anti-depressants aren't usually prescribed for insomnia but some of the older anti-depressants have sedative qualities and are prescribed for insomnia.
Mirtazapine 30mg (Remeron) ****
Desyrel 100-150mg (Trazodone) **
Sinequan 50-75mg (Doxepin) **
Amitriptyline 25-50mg (Elavil) *
Supplements/Vitamines/Herbal Sleep-Aids
These medications listed are all available over the counter
Melatonin 6mg *
Kava Kava 150-225mg Kavalactones **
5-HTP 150mg ***
Valerian Root 450-900mg **
Opiates/Opioids
Naturally opiates/opioids will sedate you and make you tired so you are probably already aware that these drugs will help with sleep. I've tried just about every opioid/opiates known to man but I will list the more sedative ones. These are just the top of my head. Keep in mind that these doses are for a non-tolerant user.
Codeine 90mg (Tylenol w/Codeine #2-4) **
Hydrocodone 20mg (Vicodin) ****
Morphine 30mg (MSir) /Not sustained release/ ***
Hydromorphone 4mg (Dilaudid) **
Diamorphine 100mg (Heroin) /IV dose/ ****
Additional Sleeping Aids
I will list the specific class that these drugs are from
Butalbital without caffeine 150mg (Fiorinal) *** /Barbiturate
Carisoprodol 700mg (Soma) **** /Muscle Relaxant
Meprobamate 600mg (Miltown) ** /Anti-anxiety agent
Cyclobenzaprine 20mg (Flexeril) ** /Muslce Relaxant
Phenobarbital 100mg (Phenobarbital) *** /Barbiturate
Catapres .2mg (Clonodine) *** /High Blood Pressure Medication
Carbamazepine 200mg (Tegretol) * /Muscle Relaxant
I really hope that this list of sleeping aids is useful for you. I have switched from sleeping aid to sleeping aid for the last 8 years of my life. I have severe insomnia. Not all of these drugs were prescribed, some obtained illegally, majority prescribed, and some OTC. And as you can probably tell, I had a lot of time on my hand today
Oh yeah....marijuana also helps