Over The Counter Sleep Medicine

The best over the counter sleep aids i ve tried updated september 1 2020 by ethan green sleep aids remedies if you re reading this i ll assume you ve already made up your mind that a sleep aid might help you sleep a little better.

Over the counter sleep medicine.

Between 6 and 12 percent of americans use over the counter otc sleep aids specifically. Perhaps the most popular over the counter sleep aid is produced by kirkland signature. It usually has a relaxing effect that makes you feel drowsy but it may cause some grogginess the next. In addition some over the counter sleep aids can leave you feeling groggy and unwell the next day.

Both are types of sedating antihistamines but each has a slightly different effect. Diphenhydramine hci or doxylamine succinate. The most common agent in over the counter sleeping aids is diphenhydramine an antihistamine. Otc sleep aids can help people fall asleep and stay asleep with a minimum of side effects.

Tolerance to the sedative effects of antihistamines can develop quickly so the longer you take them the less likely they are to make you sleepy. The fda has approved a prescription oral spray called zolpimist which contains zolpidem for the short term treatment of insomnia brought on by trouble falling asleep. Otc sleep aids generally contain one of two primary active ingredients. In the doses that are available over the counter antihistamines are relatively safe and they work for a lot of people says pradeep bollu m d a board certified sleep specialist and.

Posina explains that over the counter medications are definitely helpful she specifies that they are intended to help in the short term or for light irregularities in your sleeping schedule before heading to the pharmacy she recommends evaluating some lifestyle factors first. This is the so called hangover effect.