If you have severe sleep problems, you may want to consider sleeping pills. However, you should only use them for a short time along with making lifestyle changes to treat your problem.
For most people, natural sleep aids are a better option than medications. They work by releasing melatonin to help your body fall asleep naturally.
Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is a common over-the-counter medication used for insomnia (difficulty sleeping). It’s part of a class of medications called antihistamines.
Diphenhydramine blocks the uptake of histamine into nearby nerve cells, which makes you sleepy. This is the main active ingredient in many over-the-counter sleep aids.
It is also used to treat hives and itchy skin, sneezing, runny nose, and cough. It can also prevent or treat motion sickness.
Taking too much can cause serious side effects, including difficulty breathing and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are severe or last longer than 2 weeks.
Diphenhydramine can be habit-forming if you take it regularly for a long time. It’s best to use it for a short while and then stop using it.
Doxylamine
Doxylamine is a medication used to treat allergy symptoms and help you sleep. It works by blocking receptors that let the chemical histamine stimulate nerve cells in your brain and body, causing you to feel sleepy.
Doxylamine also reduces sneezing and runny nose caused by allergies. It is an antihistamine that is available in over-the-counter sleeping tablets.
It should not be used by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding without a doctor’s recommendation. It may cause drowsiness and irritability in babies who consume it in milk.
Doxylamine is a member of the first-generation histamine receptor H1 antagonist class of medications. It is an effective antihistamine and a milder sedative than diphenhydramine (Benadryl). It may be used to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. It can also help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Benadryl
Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine that’s often used for hay fever and other allergy symptoms, including sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Benadryl can also help relieve hives, itchy skin, and some insect bites.
The drug comes in tablets and liquid solution and can be taken with or without food. The recommended dose is 25 mg every four to six hours, but a lower starting dose may be prescribed for people with liver or kidney disease.
You can buy Gabapentin 300 mg or at your local pharmacy. It’s available in a wide variety of strengths and dosage forms, so you can find the right one for you.
Benadryl can make you sleepy, but it doesn’t usually affect your ability to wake up. This can cause problems if you’re driving, operating machinery, or doing other activities that require alertness.
Tylenol PM
Tylenol PM is a combination medicine that contains acetaminophen (a pain reliever) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine). It is used to treat occasional insomnia associated with minor aches and pains.
It is non-habit forming, so you can take it as needed. It also comes in an extra-strength version that provides 500 mg of acetaminophen and 25 mg of diphenhydramine.
Don’t use more than directed by your doctor. Overdose can cause severe liver damage.
This medication can also make you very sleepy, so don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. Overdose can happen more easily if you’re over 65 years old, drink alcohol, or take other drugs that cause sleepiness.
Other side effects include drowsiness, confusion, constipation, and dry mouth. If you have problems with these side effects, stop taking Tylenol PM and call your doctor.
Advil PM
Advil PM is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that helps people with occasional sleeplessness associated with minor aches and pains. It contains ibuprofen and diphenhydramine.
It is available in both tablet and liquid form. Both are recommended for nighttime use to help a person get a good night’s sleep.
Both medications have side effects, which a person should be aware of before taking them. They may cause drowsiness and have an effect on blood pressure.
Summary:
Ibuprofen is also known to cause stomach bleeding and can increase a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke. It is best not to take ibuprofen if you have had a heart attack or stroke in the past, or if you have kidney or liver problems. It is also not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.