# Popular sleep aids before surgery could prevent painkiller dependence later

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/popular-sleep-aids-before-surgery-could-prevent-painkiller-dependence-later/
- Published: 2026-10-23T10:00:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T10:13:41+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/health/popular-sleep-aids-surgery-prevent-painkiller-dependence
- Topics: Health, Mental Health, Research, Science, World

## Key points

- Better sleep before surgery may be linked to less pain afterwards.
- Some studies found lower opioid use with melatonin or zolpidem.
- The review does not establish treatment advice.

## Summary

A review of 16 studies suggests that taking melatonin or zolpidem (Ambien) before surgery may be linked to less anxiety and pain afterwards, as well as lower opioid use in some patients. The findings matter because they point to sleep before surgery as a possible factor in recovery and pain management.

The studies covered more than 1,100 patients who had various procedures between 2000 and 2025. Melatonin was associated with a greater than 30% reduction in opioid use among some abdominal surgery patients; zolpidem was linked to reduced opioid use after colorectal surgery. The review summarised existing research rather than testing a treatment, so its authors said further research is needed and did not make clinical recommendations.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.