QWhat are some good non narcotic sleep aids?

There are no drugs approved for the treatment of insomnia. According to the Federal drug refers only to opioids (morphine, heroin, meperidine, oxycodone, hydromorphone) and cocaine. The medical definition of a narcotic only refers to opioids.

Most hypnotics are controlled substances, but which are not considered narcotics under the law or by the scientific definition.

In the United States there are two drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of insomnia that are NOT controlled substances. The first is Silenor (doxepin), which was recently approved by the FDA. Doxepin medication is actually quite old and has been sold under the brand Sinequan. Doxepin is an antidepressant actually some sedative properties. Doxepin is not as effective and a large number of people find the drug to be ineffective.

The second drug approved for insomnia is Rozerem (ramelteon) receptor agonist of melatonin. Rozerem is only effective in helping you fall asleep, it will help keep people asleep. Rozerem is less effective FDA approved hypnotic only a small number of people responding to it and that usually reduces sleep latency in minutes.

Treatment guidelines, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, I usually recommend the use of medications such as Ambien (zolpidem), Ambien CR (zolpidem extended-release), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone) or Restoril (temazepam), among others, as first-line treatment. These drugs are controlled substances nevertheless have a low potential for abuse and the short-term use has an almost non-existent risk of addiction although people with a history of substance abuse may not be ideal for the use of these drugs for treatment of first line. Lunesta is the only medication officially approved for acute and chronic insomnia.

The reality is that the best hypnotics are controlled substances and many prescription drugs for insomnia that have no abuse potential generally are not particularly effective and are often associated with significant side effects and other risks.