Best Over the Counter Sleep Aid
Best Over-the-Counter Sleep Aid
OTC aids for sleeping, otherwise known as supplements, might assist people with stresses in life, sleep issues while traveling, or other things that disturb an individual’s sleep pattern. However, if someone has a more serious condition, like insomnia, he or she might benefit more from modifying his or her life situations or style of living.
Have you tried a few options to help you sleep all through the night, to no avail? Maybe you tried to cut coffee or other beverages out of your diet that contain caffeine. Maybe you started an exercise regimen, hoping that would help you sleep better. You might have additionally tried to cut out daytime napping, so you could get a good night’s sleep. One other item that affects sleep patterns is stress, so you may have attended stress management classes or tried other methods of reducing stress in your life, to help you relax and sleep better. Sadly, none of these attempts solved your sleep problem. Your next option might be over-the-counter pills, sleep aids. If you have suffered from sleep deprivation for several months, it might be wise to confer with your physician, especially if the insomnia is severe. A doctor can help you determine an underlying cause for the sleep issue.
An over-the counter sleep aid is an option some folks can elect to try, one that will help them get sleep patterns somewhat normal, but these methods usually only work for folks who are suffering from “once in a while” sleep interruptions. It may work for chronic sleep issues, but will not cure the situation completely. With some types of sleep aids, if someone takes the supplements more frequently, a person may build immunity to them and require more dosage, which cannot occur with some of the pills, so the supplements might not work for long periods. Additionally, a few sleep aids cause grogginess or leave a person feeling less than well the following day. We hear of these two reactions occurring mostly in older individuals though. If you are thinking about taking a sleep aid, it is vital for you to know there is not a lot out there (information) about them and the safety and later side effects of them. Certainly, many folks have used them and are still fine today, and found sleep relief from certain ones. However, we want you to be aware that not all supplements that aid sleeping have a lot of documentation about them, concerning long-term effects and their present or continued effectiveness.
Well-Known Over-the-counter Sleep Aids
An individual can find a wide number of sleep aids at any local pharmacy. The majority of these supplements include ingredients like antihistamines. Some people who take anything with an antihistamine in it might become drowsy, which is what people want so they can fall asleep easier. However, some folks are allergic to such ingredients, so we want you to read the labels well before trying any medications that aid with sleeping. Brand name and no-name brands may have antihistamine in them. Of course, no-name brands cost less, and they usually work just as well as the higher priced products, for folks who seek less expensive sleep medicine.
People presently taken medication for depression should consult with their doctor before taking an over-the-counter sleep aid. Antidepressants in the family of MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), like Nardil or Parnate, should not combine this medication with a sleeping medication. If you are not sure about which medications can mix with others, ask your physician. Additionally, OTC supplements may not be good for folks who have medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, chronic depression or severe mental health disorders, especially if a person is taking medicine to help with any of those conditions. Even though many folks find sleep-relief with supplements that have antihistamines in them, the relief usually only lasts for two to three weeks.
Below is a list of well known Over-the Counter Sleep Aids:
Diphenhydramines like Benadryl and Sominex, as well as Tylenol P.M
• Some folks notice minor side effects while taking this type of sleep aid
o Dryness of the mouth
o Light-headedness
o Feeling drowsy/groggy the following day, sometimes all day
o Trouble remembering things
Breastfeeding moms should not take this medicine. Pregnant women should consult with their physician first, to make sure it is okay, although doctors do not usually recommend these kinds of supplements to pregnant women. If someone has a medical condition like glaucoma, prostate enlargement or a heart condition, it is a good idea to ask a doctor before taking a sleep aid too.
Unisom, also known as Doxylamine
• Mild side affects
o Long or short term grogginess the following day
If someone is pregnant, nursing an infant or has one of the following conditions, he or she may want to ask a doctor before taking this sleep aid:
• Respiratory troubles
• Bronchial problems
• Glaucoma
• Certain ulcers (peptic, to name one)
• Prostate enlargement
As with any medication or supplement that may cause drowsiness, it is wise to avoid operating machinery, like skill saws, chain saws, and other kinds like that, and avoid driving, because some medications cause grogginess, which inhibits some functionality, and they can affect a person’s reflexes.
What is the Best Over-the-Counter Sleep Aid, and what is the Safest Supplement?
Supplementary Diet pills
Unbelievably, people use dietary supplements to treat insomnia, even though not much information exists concerning their safety and efficiency. Two of the most used forms of dietary medications are Valerian (an herb) and Melatonin (a natural hormone).
About Melatonin
Melatonin assist people with regulating sleep patterns. The body produces the hormone naturally, but there are times when some people do not have enough production of it. This supplement is most useful for folks who suffer from “jet lag” or loss of sleep due to work schedules, like working graveyard shifts. It depends on an individual though. Some folks take one or two melatonin about an hour before they wish to go to bed and it works great for them. Many people like it because there are no affects like drowsiness the following day. Some people take it and it does not work for them. There are a few questions without answers about this supplement, except that there are side effects, which most folks who have used it confirm. The side effects are mild and go away quickly:
• Groggy or drowsy feelings during the following day
• Mild headaches
• Lightheadedness
• Mild stomach upset or irritation
• Slight depressive feelings lasting a short amount of time
• Slight hand shakes
• Some people feel a bit anxious while taking Melatonin
• Mild changes in temperament
• Slight perplexity
As with most supplements or drugs, it is wise to find out if melatonin mixes well with other medications. Some medications interact well together and some do not. As mentioned earlier, there are no known documentations about how well this supplement works or what long-term use and effects might be for folks. Additionally, there is no known information stating that the drug is unsafe or has caused future problems for folks who took it.
People who are 20 years of age or younger, having babies or breastfeeding should ask their doctor before taking any type of supplement.
About Valerian, the Herb
Many folks use natural herbs, especially ones that help people fall asleep faster, leaving them feeling less groggy the following day and feeling more rested. The FDA lists this supplement as safe. However, there are some mild side effects:
• Mild headaches
• Nervousness
• Slight heart palpitations
Valerian is the name for several plants, but this one is the herb and comes from plant’s roots and after manufacturing the herb, it is conceived that the drug contains a sedative-type component that makes people drowsy when they take it.
As with any medication, whether it is a natural herb or not, it is wise to ask a doctor if it is okay to take it if a person is pregnant, nursing or has serious health conditions and takes other medications. Additionally, it is not a good idea to drink alcohol while taking any sleep aid, whether it is a prescription or an over-the-counter.
Before Trying an Over-the Counter Sleep Aid
Click Here To See More Natural Sleep Aids
If you have tried many methods to help you find rest during the night (or daytime for those who work night shifts), and have yet to find one that works for you, the first thing you should do is talk to your physician about the sleep problem. If you suffer from serious insomnia, there may be underlying reason for the lack of sleep problems. The causes could be physical or mental health reasons. Many times, the reasons behind insomnia can be resolved in time. Some methods folks try are behavioral counseling (cognitive thinking and so forth), prescription sleep aids, and over-the-counter sleep aids. Some people choose prescriptions because they feel safer taken something a doctor prescribes them, while others feel safe enough taking medications without prescriptions, ones that are readily available at all pharmacies. Another reason why some people choose to go to a pharmacy, after conferring with a doctor is that over-the-counter supplements cost a lot less money and are non-addictive.
Tips for People Suffering from Insomnia
Whether you are seeking an over-the-counter sleep aid, behavioral counseling, or a prescription sleeping pill, here are some tips that might help you through the process:
• Talk to your family doctor
o Of course, you do not need a doctor’s consent to buy an over-the-counter medication, but it is wise to talk with your physician just the same
o If you take other medications, your doctor will tell you what drugs can interact with the prescriptions and what ones will not interact well with them
o Your physician might be able to recommend a good non-prescription supplement and help you adjust the dosage
o If you have tried everything, to no avail, your physician might recommend a mild prescription sleep aid, but be sure to ask for one that is non-addictive if you go that route
o Your physician may ask you to come back every 2-4 weeks to see how you are doing and if your insomnia has improved or worsened
• Be patient and do not expect immediate relief for your insomnia
o If you ever heard the saying, “Rome was not built in one day”, you know that nothing happens overnight, except a rain storm or someone winning the lottery
o An over-the-counter sleep aid is not a permanent answer to your insomnia problem
o Follow the directions exactly
o If it is not helping after a week or so, talk to your doctor
• Stay away from Alcoholic Beverages while taking Sleep Aids
o Even if something says it is natural, a herb or a hormone, you should never drink while taking the supplement
o Most supplements cause drowsiness and lack of reflex abilities as it is, so mixing alcohol with them will cause worse drowsiness and reflex problems
• When the sleep aids help you and you think you can sleep on your own:
o Ask your physician about weaning off them
o Follow package directions for weaning
o Never stop taking a medication suddenly
o Many times, when a person stops taking even a supplement suddenly, nervous system or other problems occurred
• Pay attention to labels concerning side effects
o When you begin taking a prescription or over-the-counter sleep aid, you will want to begin it on days when you do not have to go to work or to appointments
o Most medications cause grogginess the day after taking them, sometimes one to two longer than that too
o You should not drive or operate any machinery when taking any sleep aid
In Conclusion, When Choosing a Sleep Aid
Once again, your doctor can help you decide what the best over-the-counter sleep aid is for you or help you find a different method will help you with your insomnia. Each one of us deserves a great night’s sleep, every night, and we all benefit from that, mentally and physically. If your insomnia persists or worsens, try other methods or talk to your physician or a counselor.