Sedatives are drugs that help you fall asleep. A type called benzodiazepine sedatives include triazolam (Halcion), estazolam, lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), flurazepam, and quazepam (Doral). Non-benzodiazepine sedatives include zolpidem (Ambien, Intermezzo), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata).
If you can addicted to sedatives if you take them for a long time. They also can be dangerous if you mix them with alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system. They can cause morning sleepiness, although side effects are generally less severe with the non-benzodiazepines. A prescription oral spray called Zolpimist, which contains Ambien's active ingredient, can be used for short-term treatment of insomnia.