BETTER-SLEEP

OTC or over the counter treatments, meaning they do not require a prescription from the doctor have one of two sleep inducing substances, diphenydramine or doxylamine. Both are antihistamines commonly used to treat allergies, such as hayfever, and nausea caused by motion sickness. The effects that you experience from allergy medications and motion sickness medications will be the same effects you can expect from these medications. The only other OTC options for insomnia are herbal remedies and herbal compounds.

Consult with your doctor before taking an over the counter sleep aid, there could be possible drug interactions or health issues that would preclude you from taking these medications. Do not take herbal remedies for sleep and over the counter sleep aids at the same time unless approved by your doctor. If you are taking any anti-depressants never take any kind of sleep aid prescription or over the counter without a doctor’s approval, you could experience serious adverse reactions. Please note that you may be taking an anti-depressant that was prescribed as a sleeping pill, check with your doctor of pharmacist. Do not drink alcohol while taking any sleep medication.

The most common side-effect from both diphenydramine and doxylamine is next day drowsiness. It has been reported that both drugs may produce a “hang over effect” the next day lasting for several hours, sometimes into the next evening. Both can also cause constipation, dry mouth, difficulty urinating or starting urination, and in some memory loss. Persons with glaucoma, asthma, heart problems, or enlargement of the prostate gland should not take over the counter sleep aids or any antihistamines without the express approval and close monitoring of their doctor. These antihistamines may cause excitability in children and the elderly.

OTC antihistamines for insomnia are for short term, intermittent use only. Basically they are for that occasional night of sleeplessness. Most people build up a tolerance to these drugs very quickly, do not exceed the dosage directions on the packaging.

Diphenydramine is found in Benadryl, Sominex, and Nytol. Doxylamine is found in Unisom and Sleeptabs