Can sleeping pills cause drowsiness the next day?: A pharmacological guide to the 'hangover effect'

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one study, approximately 80% of individuals taking prescription insomnia medication reported experiencing at least one residual effect, including daytime drowsiness. This lingering 'hangover effect' is a common concern for people who wonder: Can sleeping pills cause drowsiness the next day? The answer is yes, and understanding why is crucial for managing sleep medication safely.

Quick Summary

Sleeping pills can cause next-day drowsiness, often due to the medication's residual sedative effects remaining in the body. Factors like a drug's half-life, dosage, and individual metabolism influence the likelihood and severity of this 'hangover effect'. Choosing the right medication, dose, and timing can help minimize next-day impairment.

Key Points

Drug half-life affects daytime alertness: The time it takes for a sleeping pill to be cleared from the body is a primary factor in causing next-day drowsiness.
Not all sleep aids are equal: Z-drugs generally have a lower risk of next-day impairment than older benzodiazepines and over-the-counter antihistamines.
Dosage and timing are critical: Higher doses and insufficient time allocated for sleep (less than 7-8 hours) increase the likelihood of the 'hangover effect'.
Individual factors matter: A person's metabolism, which can slow with age, affects how long a drug's sedative effects can linger.
Risks extend beyond grogginess: Next-day drowsiness can significantly impair driving skills and work performance, posing serious safety concerns.
Lifestyle changes are a key solution: Incorporating good sleep hygiene practices and exploring therapies like CBT-I can reduce dependence on medication for long-term sleep health.

The pharmacology behind next-day drowsiness

Sleeping pills work by targeting specific chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, to induce sleep. Most prescription sleep aids enhance the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps calm brain activity. However, the sedative effects don't always wear off completely by the time you wake up. This is primarily due to the drug's half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the medication to be eliminated from the body.

For example, longer-acting sleeping pills, particularly some benzodiazepines, have a longer half-life and are more likely to cause significant residual effects into the next day. The same is true for some over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids, which contain antihistamines whose sedating properties can last for many hours. This can lead to impaired daytime thinking, slowed reaction times, and general grogginess.

Types of sleeping pills and their impact on daytime alertness

Not all sleep medications are the same, and their potential for next-day drowsiness varies significantly. Understanding the different classes of sleep aids can help you and your doctor choose the most appropriate option.

Prescription sleep aids

Z-drugs (non-benzodiazepine hypnotics): This class includes medications like zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), and eszopiclone (Lunesta). They have shorter half-lives than many older medications and are designed to wear off faster. However, next-day impairment is still possible, especially with higher doses or extended-release versions. Some research suggests zaleplon has the least impact on next-day driving performance.
Benzodiazepines: Older and more potent, these drugs (e.g., lorazepam, temazepam) have a higher risk of next-day drowsiness, cognitive impairment, and dependency. Their use is generally limited to short-term, severe insomnia.
Melatonin receptor agonists: Ramelteon (Rozerem) and suvorexant (Belsomra) affect the body's sleep-wake cycle and are generally associated with a lower risk of residual sedation compared to Z-drugs and benzodiazepines.
Antidepressants with sedative properties: Drugs like trazodone can be used off-label for insomnia but carry a risk of significant next-day drowsiness and other side effects.

Over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids

Antihistamines: OTC sleep aids often contain diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl, ZzzQuil) or doxylamine (Unisom). These older antihistamines can have a long-lasting sedative effect, leading to pronounced next-day drowsiness, confusion, and memory issues.
Melatonin supplements: As a naturally occurring hormone, melatonin can help regulate sleep. However, taking too high a dose can lead to a "melatonin hangover" that causes next-day grogginess.

Factors that increase your risk of the 'hangover effect'

Several factors can influence how a sleeping pill affects you the next day:

Dosage: Higher doses of any sleep medication increase the likelihood and severity of residual drowsiness.
Individual metabolism: A person's metabolic rate, which can be affected by factors like age, liver function, and general health, determines how quickly the body processes the drug. Older adults, in particular, often metabolize medications more slowly, making them more susceptible to next-day effects.
Timing of dose: Not allowing for a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep after taking a sleeping pill can leave residual medication in your system when you wake up.
Interaction with other substances: Alcohol and other sedative drugs can enhance the sedative effects of sleeping pills, increasing the risk of next-day impairment.
Habitual use: Regular, long-term use can cause blood concentrations to accumulate over time, potentially leading to increased daytime impairment.

How to manage and minimize next-day drowsiness

Work with your doctor: If next-day drowsiness is an issue, your doctor might recommend a lower dose, a different medication, or a drug with a shorter half-life.
Time your dose correctly: Ensure you have enough time for a full night's sleep (7-8 hours) after taking the medication.
Stay hydrated and eat lightly: Drinking water helps your body process the medication more efficiently, and a light, healthy breakfast can support your liver.
Gentle movement: A short walk or some light stretching in the morning can help increase circulation and shake off the grogginess.
Prioritize sleep hygiene: Medications should not be a long-term solution. Combining them with healthy sleep habits, such as a consistent sleep schedule and a dark, cool room, can help address the underlying insomnia. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective, non-pharmacological alternative.

Comparison of Common Sleep Medications


Medication Type	Examples	Average Half-Life	Risk of Next-Day Drowsiness	Other Common Side Effects
Z-drugs	Zolpidem, Zaleplon, Eszopiclone	Short (1-6 hours)	Moderate (Dose-dependent)	Dizziness, headache, nausea, abnormal sleep behaviors
Benzodiazepines	Temazepam, Lorazepam	Longer (up to 20+ hours)	High (Often significant)	Cognitive impairment, dependency, memory issues
OTC Antihistamines	Diphenhydramine, Doxylamine	Long (8+ hours)	High (Often significant)	Dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, blurred vision
Melatonin Agonists	Ramelteon, Suvorexant	Short (1-3 hours)	Low to Moderate	Headache, dizziness, fatigue (Suvorexant can cause lingering sleepiness)

Conclusion

Next-day drowsiness is a real and common side effect associated with many sleep medications, stemming from the drug's residual sedative effects. The risk varies depending on the type of medication, its half-life, the dosage, and individual factors like metabolism. While newer medications with shorter half-lives and proper dosage timing can help minimize the impact, the "hangover effect" is a significant consideration, especially for individuals who need to drive or perform complex tasks. For those seeking long-term solutions, a comprehensive approach including good sleep hygiene and potentially non-pharmacological therapies is recommended. Always consult a healthcare provider to discuss the risks and benefits of any sleep aid. For further information on sleep aids, consider visiting the Sleep Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main reason is the drug's half-life, which is how long it takes to clear from your system. Longer-acting drugs, like some benzodiazepines and OTC antihistamines, are more likely to have residual effects that cause grogginess the next day.

Yes, many over-the-counter sleep aids, which often contain antihistamines like diphenhydramine or doxylamine, can cause significant next-day drowsiness due to their long-lasting sedative properties.

To minimize grogginess, ensure you allow for a full 7-8 hours of sleep after taking the pill, use the lowest effective dose, stay hydrated, and perform some gentle morning movement. Consulting your doctor about shorter-acting medication options is also recommended.

No, you should never drive or operate heavy machinery the day after taking a sleeping pill until you know how it affects you. Studies have shown that residual effects can significantly impair driving skills and increase the risk of car accidents.

Older adults are more susceptible to next-day drowsiness because their bodies typically metabolize medications more slowly. This can cause the drug to linger in their system longer, increasing the risk of confusion, falls, and other side effects.

Z-drugs, like Ambien and Sonata, generally have a shorter half-life and are designed to wear off more quickly. Benzodiazepines have longer half-lives and a higher potential for significant residual sedation and impairment the next day.

Yes, research shows that residual symptoms like drowsiness can impair work productivity, concentration, and overall functioning. This can manifest as absenteeism, presenteeism (working while impaired), and difficulty with complex tasks.