Disclaimer for Medical Practitioners: This page is not intended to be a source of medical advice. It should not be used as a recommendation or as a basis for any medication. Before you take any new medication or alter your current dosage, consult your doctor.
People take sleeping pills to help them fall asleep faster and get more rest. Certain sleep medications such as benzodiazepines and orexin receptor antagonists require a doctor’s prescription. You can also buy OTC sleep aids without a prescription. These are great for treating insomnia and other issues. However, you should always consult a doctor before using these drugs.
What OTC Sleep Aids Are Available?
There are many brands to choose from, but most OTC sleep aids can be found in one of these categories. This is based on the chemical composition. No matter if you need a prescription, it is important to consult your physician before you take any sleep medication.
Melatonin
The pineal gland produces melatonin, a natural hormone. The retinas detect natural light during the day and signal the brain with hormones such as cortisol to promote alertness and wakefulness. The pineal gland releases melatonin when the sun goes down in the evening. This makes you feel tired and relaxed.
Some factors can reduce or hinder melatonin production. For example, exposure to sunlight in the evening can confuse the brain into believing you should be awake. Some people take melatonin supplementation to increase their melatonin levels. These supplements can be made from animals or microorganisms. Most often, they are synthetic.
For certain conditions, melatonin might be prescribed or recommended. These conditions include sleep disorders such as shift work disorder and delayed sleep-wake phase disorder that can reduce your melatonin levels. For travelers suffering from jet lag, melatonin can help to improve their symptoms.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), classifies melatonin a dietary supplement and doesn’t regulate it as strictly as other medications.
Some people may be allergic to melatonin, according to doctors. To avoid possible dangerous interactions, people with epilepsy or who are taking blood-thinning medications should be monitored by a physician while taking melatonin.
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Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine, an FDA-approved antihistamine, is commonly sold under the brand Benadryl. You can find it in many OTC pain-relieving and fever-reducing medications such as Advil PM or Nytol PM, Nytol PM, Nytol PM, Nytol PM, Nytol PM, Tylenol PM and ZzzQuil.
For occasional periods of sleepiness, diphenhydramine might be prescribed or recommended.
It is not clear if diphenhydramine can be used as a sleeping aid. Studies that gave participants 50mg of diphenhydramine have shown results that suggest sleep improvement is minimal at best. However, diphenhydramine taken at bedtime has been linked to psychomotor impairments as well as reduced wakefulness the next day.
Studies have shown that many older adults use diphenhydramine to treat insomnia or for self-care. Due to chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, older people are more likely to have insufficient sleep or poor quality sleep. About 35% of OTC medication usage in the U.S. is by older people, while 12% of those 65 years and older use OTC sleeping pills.
Older adults may have problems with chronically taking these medications. Our metabolism slows down with age which prolongs the half-life and extends their effects. If these sleep aids were taken at night, this can cause a residual sedative reaction.
Diphenhydramine should be avoided by teens and young adults. FDA warns that diphenhydramine taken in higher than recommended doses can cause serious health problems such as seizures, heart attacks, comas, and even death.
Many young people have been admitted after they consumed excessive amounts of diphenhydramine through the Benadryl Challenge, which was promoted via social media platforms.
Doxylamine
Doxylamine succinate, also known as diphenhydramine succinate, is a first-generation analgesic that can cause sedative effects. Doxylamine is a temporary treatment for insomnia. It can also be combined with decongestants to relieve symptoms like sneezing and nasal congestion. Doxylamine is sold under the brand names Unisom SleepTabs and Medi-Sleep. It may also be used in fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications.
You should consult your doctor if you have insomnia symptoms that persist for more than two weeks. If symptoms persist, you should discontinue taking doxylamine for cold and cough suppression for more than seven days. There have been 31 known interactions between doxylamine and other drugs, including acetaminophen and aspirin.
Studies have shown that seniors often use diphenhydramine chronically, just like with diphenhydramine. If the senior citizen also drinks alcohol regularly, this can cause serious health problems.
Valerian
Valerian, a herb that is sold under the brand name valerian root as a dietary supplement, is commonly found in mild sedatives to help with anxiety and insomnia. Although the function of valerian’s mechanism is still unclear, scientists believe that it interacts with GABA and serotonin receptors. Evidence that valerian can be used to treat insomnia is not conclusive.
Valerian is a dietary supplement and therefore is not subject to the same FDA approval and evaluation as other sleep medications. The composition of valerian root tablets may differ from one brand to the next. Valerian root pills can be found in different brands. High doses taken at night may cause morning sleepiness. However, a 600mg dose is not likely to affect reaction time, alertness, concentration, or reaction time.
Valerian’s effects on infants and unborn fetuses needs to be further studied. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should not use valerian unless under medical supervision. Children under three years old should be treated the same way. Valerian can also interact with other sleep medication and cause additional grogginess the next morning.
Are OTC Sleep Aids A Risky Drug?
OTC sleep aids can have side effects that depend on the dosage and who is taking them. However, the following are some of the most common:
These medications may be beneficial for those suffering from sleep problems or insomnia. As with all medications, it is important to consult your doctor before you take any OTC sleep aid.
Your physician will explain the possible side effects and drug interactions to you, as well as other treatment options that might be better for you.
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