Popping One of Your Husband’s Sleeping Pills

Risk Rating: 4

It’s so tempting. You’re tossing and turning, and his sleeping pills sit on the nightstand, promising a quick fix. But you’re better off counting sheep, because the same pill that sends your spouse safely to slumber can have a very different effect on you, says Rick Kellerman, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “When the doctor wrote the prescription, he took into account your husband’s overall health and any other drugs he might be taking,” says Kellerman. When you use someone else’s medication, you run a greater-than-average risk of experiencing dangerous drug interactions and adverse side effects.

If you consistently have trouble falling asleep, try homespun fixes, like limiting caffeine and listening to soothing music or white noise. Or see your doctor for your own prescription.