Can you prescribe sleeping tablets?

Sedative-hypnotics are controlled substances and are generally not appropriate for routine telehealth prescribing, particularly before underlying causes have been excluded. The evaluation focuses on identifying what is driving the sleep problem — apnoea, thyroid disease, iron deficiency, mood, or behavioural factors — and addressing that. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia has better long-term evidence than medication for chronic insomnia.