OTC sleep aids and supplements: What's best and safe?

[BABY1]

TweetCommon OTC sleep aids

Various OTC sleep aids are available in any pharmacy. Most of these medications contain antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness. Store brands containing the same active ingredients as brand-name sleep aids are commonly available. Store brands have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts, often at a more reasonable cost.
Talk to your doctor before taking any OTC sleep aid if you're currently taking an antidepressant in the class of drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) — such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate) — or did so as recently as two weeks ago. Also check with your doctor first if you take any other drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease.
Although antihistamine-based medications may improve mild symptoms of insomnia for a short period of time, they aren't likely to help for longer than a couple of weeks.
Here are some common OTC sleep aids:
Diphenhydramine (Sominex, Benadryl, Tylenol PM, others)
These may cause:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Prolonged drowsiness lasting into the next day
• Memory problems

They are not recommended if you're breast-feeding. They also may not be safe if you're pregnant or have a history of:

• Glaucoma
• Heart problems
• Enlarged prostate

Doxylamine (Unisom)
This medication may cause prolonged drowsiness. It also may not be safe if you're pregnant or breast-feeding or you have a history of:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Glaucoma
• Peptic ulcer
• Enlarged prostate

With these types of OTC sleeping aids, don't drive or attempt other activities that require alertness while taking the drug.

Dietary supplements

Various dietary supplements have been touted as effective insomnia treatments, but there's much that isn't known about their effectiveness or safety. The most widely publicized may be the hormone melatonin and the herb valerian.
Melatonin
Melatonin is thought to help control your body's internal clock. The melatonin supplements most often found in health food stores and pharmacies are manufactured versions of the natural hormone. These supplements are most helpful for people experiencing jet lag or the effects of shift work. They have less and inconsistent effects as a sleep aid. There are many unanswered questions about melatonin. Some people who've taken melatonin have reported:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Headaches
• Dizziness

Other side effects reported include stomach discomfort, short-lasting depression symptoms, mild tremor, mild anxiety, irritability and confusion.
Melatonin may interact with a variety of common drugs, so talk with your doctor before trying it. The best dose isn't certain, and the long-term effects are unknown.
Melatonin may not be safe if you're:

• Pregnant
• Breast-feeding
• Younger than age 20

Valerian
Supplements made from this plant may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and help you sleep better. However, it's not clear what the active ingredient is. Also, the potencies of various ingredients vary from preparation to preparation.
Although the Food and Drug Administration considers valerian to be generally safe, side effects may include:

• Headache
• Excitability or uneasiness
• Heart disturbances

Valerian may not be safe if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. Valerian may strongly react with other sleep aids and with alcohol, and may react with other medications, as well. The best dose isn't certain, and the long-term effects are unknown. Talk to your doctor before taking valerian.
Taking sleeping pills

If your best attempts to get a good night's sleep have failed, your best bet is to make an appointment with your doctor. Often, specific causes for insomnia may be found that are reversible. Nondrug approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective. Prescription sleeping pills may be both effective and safe, if taken as prescribed. Consider OTC sleep aids or supplements with caution.

• Start with your doctor. You don't need your doctor's OK to take an over-the-counter sleep aid, but it's a good idea to check with your doctor anyway. He or she can make sure the sleep aid won't interact with other medications or medical conditions. Your doctor can also help you determine the best dosage. In some cases, your doctor may recommend prescription sleeping pills. If you and your doctor decide further evaluation is needed, you may be referred to a sleep specialist.
• Take it one day at a time. Sleep aids are a temporary solution for insomnia. Most over-the-counter varieties are intended to be used for only two to three nights at a time. Taken too often, some sleep aids may cause rebound insomnia — sleeplessness that returns in full force when you stop taking the medication.
• Avoid alcohol. Never mix alcohol and sleep aids. Alcohol increases the sedative effects of the pills. Even a small amount of alcohol combined with sleep aids can make you feel dizzy, confused or faint.
• Quit carefully. When you're ready to stop taking sleep aids, follow your doctor's instructions or the directions on the label. Some medications must be stopped gradually.
• Watch for side effects. If you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day, talk to your doctor about changing the dosage or discontinuing the pills.

Everyone benefits from a good night's sleep. If you continue to have trouble sleeping, consult your doctor for additional help.

[daved150]

Tweeti'm up to having to take 5 or 6 tylonal pm's to get too sleep!! its getting pretty bad. i do that 4-5 nights a week!!

[Dzone]

Tweet^I would switch to just straight unisom or sominex, bro. That way youre not taking in too much tylenol that you dont need. I rotate unisom, benadryl and seroquel..the seroquel is a script and it knocks you out for days..LOL

[daved150]

Tweetthat d...i'll pick up some unisom tonight and try it

[skinnyman]

TweetDamn...4-5 times per week? Aren't those addictive as well?

I took Tylenol once. they say you need to devote at least 8 hrs to sleep. for some reason I still couldn't fall asleep and got only 5. So i woke up real drowsy and felt like crap all day. Never took them again

[daved150]

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Damn...4-5 times per week? Aren't those addictive as well?

I took Tylenol once. they say you need to devote at least 8 hrs to sleep. for some reason I still couldn't fall asleep and got only 5. So i woke up real drowsy and felt like crap all day. Never took them again

i dont think its addictive...i dont know, but yea...4 or 5 days a week...no other option man...cant sleep, cant sleep!! getting 1-2hrs a night, broke up through the night, will make you go nuts!!
i can tell you, i started out taking 1 and over the last few months, it takes more and more....i gotta try something different...and it's not even a quality sleep!!! not in my opinion

[FUZO]

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i'm up to having to take 5 or 6 tylonal pm's to get too sleep!! its getting pretty bad. i do that 4-5 nights a week!!

YOU NEED TO STOP TAKING THOSE AND GET NO SLEEP FOR A FEW DAYS SO THAT CLEARS YOUR SYSTEM. TAKING THAT MUCH IS BAD FOR YOU.

[daved150]

Tweet

YOU NEED TO STOP TAKING THOSE AND GET NO SLEEP FOR A FEW DAYS SO THAT CLEARS YOUR SYSTEM. TAKING THAT MUCH IS BAD FOR YOU.

thats easier said when your not the one on the no sleeping end of the discussion bro, lol....i'll take 'em for a couple days, then not take 'em. and that night, i'll get no sleep...i'll try the next night, but after a couple hours, i say fuk it!!! its either that or i start popping shots of scotch...and i didnt really want to go back too that. i'm just hopijng that now that the holidays are over, the stress levels will drop just enough....

[FUZO]

Tweet

thats easier said when your not the one on the no sleeping end of the discussion bro, lol....i'll take 'em for a couple days, then not take 'em. and that night, i'll get no sleep...i'll try the next night, but after a couple hours, i say fuk it!!! its either that or i start popping shots of scotch...and i didnt really want to go back too that. i'm just hopijng that now that the holidays are over, the stress levels will drop just enough....

DUDE I HAVE SLEPT HORRIBLE FOR YEARS I'M LUCKY IF I SLEEP FOR 4 HOURS A NIGHT I WAKE UP 2X EVERY NIGHT.I USED TO TAKE THOSE PM;S BUT NEVER MORE THEN 2 NO MATTER WHAT.LIKE I SAID YOU NEED TO STOP THOSE PM'S AND JUST SUCK IT UP FOR A FEW DAYS.GO TO A MEDICAL CENTER AND GET A SCRIPT FOR A SLEEPING PILL