Millions of people use medication every day, but there are some medicines doctors actually don't like prescribing. For ITV's Doctor Amir Khan, he previously admitted there's a certain kind he would "never" recommend people use, as he thinks it can lead to risky consequences.

The health guru shared the expert advice in a previous episode of the No Appointment Necessary Podcast, which he hosts with presenter Cherry Healey. At the time, they were talking aboutsleep, and how people can struggle to get a good night's rest but, according to the GP, there's something you should try to avoid when attempting to doze off.

It's not the only vital guidance to be shared on the topic either. It's also been revealed there's a simple technique you can use that can help you get off to sleep easily too.

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In a clip shared on social media, the doctor was asked when a person should turn to sleeping pills for help. He replied: "I would say never. Never, ever use sleeping tablets.

"There'll be lots of people watching this going 'well, I've got insomnia, I need sleeping tablets'. Actually, what you need is probably cognitive behavioural therapy and psychiatric input to look at why you're not sleeping and what can be done.

"The only time I might, and this is so rare, give out sleeping tablets is if there has been an acute situation, like you've had a death in the family or you've been through a very traumatic incident, and you can't sleep.

"I will never give them out for more than a week because they're so addictive, you can build up a tolerance to them and the quality of sleep you have on sleeping tablets, you don't get into that deep REM sleep that you need to feel fully refreshed. "

It turns out, sometimes, sleeping tablets can actually lead to doing more harm than good. This is why the doctor is so cautious about prescribing them.

While doctors occasionally prescribe sleeping pills for people in severe need of them, they should only ever be used on a short-term basis. They can sometimes be a temporary measure to aid the problem, and are usually only issued for around a week or so, under a doctor's supervision.

They aren't considered a long-term solution to sleep issues. Even though they can be effective for initiating sleep, long-term use can cause dependency, tolerance and even daytime drowsiness.

If you suffer with something like insomnia, lifestyle changes and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) are preferred first-line treatments.

People are not advised to use sleeping pills without speaking to a doctor first, as the medication may not be right for you, or there may be better ways of managing symptoms. Don't use over-the-counter options without contacting your GP first.

If you are prescribed them, there's no need to be afraid of using them though. You just need to ensure you approach taking them with caution, and be aware of their potential risks.

While they can be effective for short-term relief of insomnia, both prescription and over-the-counter options also come with significant, well-documented risks. This is why they should never be used long-term.

If you're concerned about your level of sleep, contact your doctor for further advice. They will guide you on the best ways to manage it.

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