What can I take to help me stay asleep?

Sleep aids: The options Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. ... Doxylamine (Unisom). Doxylamine is also a sedating antihistamine. ... Melatonin. The hormone melatonin helps control your natural sleep-wake cycle. ... Valerian. Supplements made from this plant are sometimes taken as sleep aids.

mayoclinic.org - Sleep aids: Understand options sold without a prescription - Mayo Clinic

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Sleep aids: Understand options sold without a prescription Trouble sleeping? Sleep aids available without a prescription might help temporarily. But lifestyle changes are usually the best approach for chronic insomnia. By Mayo Clinic Staff You've followed the usual tips for getting enough sleep. You have a regular sleep schedule, avoid caffeine and daytime naps, and exercise regularly. You also avoid lighted screens before bed and manage stress. Still, it's been weeks since you've had a good night's sleep. Is it time for a nonprescription sleep aid? Here's what you need to know if you're considering medication to help you sleep.

Sleep aids: Not a magic cure

Sleep aids available without a prescription can be effective for an occasional sleepless night. There are a few caveats, however. Most sleep aids available without a prescription contain antihistamines. Tolerance to the sedative effects of antihistamines can develop quickly. The longer you take them, the less likely they are to make you sleepy. In addition, some sleep aids available without a prescription can leave you feeling groggy and unwell the next day. This is the so-called hangover effect. Medication interactions are possible as well, and much remains unknown about the safety and effectiveness of sleep aids available without a prescription.

Sleep aids: The options

Sleep aids available without a prescription are widely available. Common choices and the potential side effects include: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. Side effects might include daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. Side effects might include daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention. Doxylamine (Unisom). Doxylamine is also a sedating antihistamine. Side effects are similar to those of diphenhydramine. Doxylamine is also a sedating antihistamine. Side effects are similar to those of diphenhydramine. Melatonin. The hormone melatonin helps control your natural sleep-wake cycle. Some research suggests that melatonin supplements might be helpful in treating jet lag or reducing the time it takes to fall asleep — although the effect is typically mild. Side effects can include headaches, nausea and daytime sleepiness. The hormone melatonin helps control your natural sleep-wake cycle. Some research suggests that melatonin supplements might be helpful in treating jet lag or reducing the time it takes to fall asleep — although the effect is typically mild. Side effects can include headaches, nausea and daytime sleepiness. Valerian. Supplements made from this plant are sometimes taken as sleep aids. Although a few studies indicate some therapeutic benefit, other studies haven't found the same benefits. Side effects appear to be mild and may include headache and weakness.

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Store brands containing the same active ingredients as brand-name sleep aids are commonly available, too. Store brands have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts, often at a more reasonable cost.

Important precautions

When using nonprescription sleep aids, follow these steps:

Start with your health care provider. Ask your health care provider if the sleep aid might interact with other medications or underlying conditions. Also ask what dosage to take. Ask your health care provider if the sleep aid might interact with other medications or underlying conditions. Also ask what dosage to take. Keep precautions in mind. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine aren't recommended for people who have certain health problems, including closed-angle glaucoma, peptic ulcer and urinary retention. In addition, sleep aids pose risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and might pose risks for people over age 65, including an increased risk of dementia. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine aren't recommended for people who have certain health problems, including closed-angle glaucoma, peptic ulcer and urinary retention. In addition, sleep aids pose risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and might pose risks for people over age 65, including an increased risk of dementia. Take it one day at a time. Nonprescription sleep aids might be a temporary solution for sleep problems. However, they're not intended for long-term use. Nonprescription sleep aids might be a temporary solution for sleep problems. However, they're not intended for long-term use. Avoid alcohol. Never mix alcohol and sleep aids. Alcohol can increase the sedative effects of the medication. Never mix alcohol and sleep aids. Alcohol can increase the sedative effects of the medication. Beware of side effects. Don't drive or attempt other activities that require alertness while taking sleep aids.

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Everyone benefits from a good night's sleep. If you continue to have trouble sleeping, talk to your health care provider. In addition to lifestyle changes, your provider might recommend behavior therapy. This type of therapy may help you learn new sleep habits and ways to make your sleeping environment more conducive to sleep. In some cases, short-term use of prescription sleep aids might be recommended as well. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

mayoclinic.org - Sleep aids: Understand options sold without a prescription - Mayo Clinic

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