Sleeping aids refers to the medicinal drugs and medical devices that help a person to fall asleep. The various products in sleeping aids market include medication, sleep laboratories, mattresses and pillows, sleep apnea devices, and others. The “others” category comprises eye masks and ear plugs. The global sleeping aids market is growing at a significant rate, due to increased consumption of sleeping pills, increasing geriatric population and growing awareness about sleep disorders. However, side effects of sleeping aids medications and patent expiration of major sleep disorder treatment pills are the key restraints observed in the global sleeping aids market.
The increasing demand for wearable monitoring devices and sensors is the key trend observed in the global sleeping aids market. These devices help to record and transmit data related to various physiological conditions of patient’s body. These devices are well equipped with sensors, and also serve various functions, such as monitoring sleeping disorders, and measuring sleep quality. Some of the wearable monitors and sensors available in the market include Sense Wear Armband, BioHarness, LifeShirt, Zio, Health Vest, Wrist care and Magic Vest. These wearable monitors and sensors are easy to use and do not require any special skills to operate them; thus, making them popular among patients suffering from sleep disorder.
Various negative side effects associated with sleeping aids drugs are affecting the growth of the global sleeping aids market. The common side effects associated with the sleeping aids medications are dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, headache, heartburn, and stomach pain. These side effects are observed with over-the-counter drugs, herbal drugs, as well as prescription-based sleeping aids. The sleeping aids medication needs to be consumed in appropriate dosage by following proper user instructions, for reducing the side-effects associated with their usage. The overdose of these medications by the patients could be fatal.
The key companies operating in the global sleeping aids market include Merck & Co., Sanofi, Koninklijke Philips N.V, Pfizer Inc., SleepMed Inc., Cadwell Laboratories Inc., GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Natus Medical Incorporated, Drive Medical Ltd., Compumedics Limited, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and CareFusion Corporation.
