The correct way to take sleeping pills – that is, advocate taking them as needed 1. Intermittent dosing is recommended for use at night when you cannot fall asleep for 30 minutes after going to bed, or when you are still not sleepy after sitting for 30 minutes, or when you wake up five hours before normal waking and cannot fall asleep again. If necessary, alternate between two short-acting non-benzodiazepine sleeping pills. To avoid drug dependence, tolerance and addiction due to the daily use of the same drug or long-acting sleeping pills.