10 Popular Otc Sleep Aids And Side Effects
So you’ve decided it’s in your best interest to finally get a good night’s sleep. You may be suffering from sleep deprivation or insomnia, which can lead to a number of serious health risks including high blood pressure and obesity. It may also simply be that you’re having trouble relaxing at the end of a long day.
Whatever the case may be, there’s a good chance you’ve already started to check out your options for over-the-counter sleep aids. Before you make a purchase, however, it’s important to know what you’re really getting and how each product may affect your body.
In this article, we’ll discuss 10 common OTC sleep aids and their possible side effects.
1) Melatonin
Many people believe that melatonin supplements are able to help you get to sleep faster. What it actually does is help regulate your natural sleep-wake cycle, which should improve your overall quality of sleep throughout the night. Studies have shown that prolonged high dosages could be harmful if taken regularly over a long period of time. If you suffer from a sleep-wake disorder or suspect that you may, it is best to speak with your doctor before taking melatonin supplements.
2) Valerian Root
Valerian root is not technically an herb; rather it’s a member of the ragweed family and has been used as a sleep aid for centuries. Used regularly it can help to reduce feelings of stress and promote a general feeling of well-being, which may also help you relax and fall asleep more easily at the end of the day. That being said, valerian root has been known to cause short-term memory loss and drowsiness.
3) GABA
GABA is a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps calm nerve impulses. In other words, it has been shown to have a sedative effect when taken orally. In fact, many over-the-counter anxiety medications actually contain ingredients derived from GABA. It’s important to note however that there have been no long-term studies done on side effects of GABA supplements, and they should only be taken as needed and not on a daily basis.
4) Kava Kava
Kava kava is an herbal supplement that has been shown to promote relaxation and restful sleep. While some studies suggest that it may cause liver damage in those who drink alcohol regularly, others have shown that it could help reduce anxiety and help people sleep more easily.
It is recommended that pregnant or breastfeeding women not take kava kava, since the side effects of the drug on infants are still largely unknown. Other potential side effects include nausea, drowsiness, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
5) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, which means it can help you fall asleep by causing drowsiness. There are some potentially serious side effects of taking this drug while you sleep, including mild hallucinations and episodes of confusion. Additionally, while the pill will make you drowsy, it can also cause you to wake up un-rested if it’s too close to your normal wake-up time.
6) Triazolam (Halcion)
Triazolam is a benzodiazepine that has been used in the treatment of insomnia for over three decades. Benzodiazepines such as triazolam and alprazolam (Xanax) can cause some serious side effects including amnesia, hallucinations, and anterograde amnesia. Anterograde amnesia is a condition in which you lose the ability to make new memories; essentially after taking this medication you won’t be able to remember the second half of your trip to dreamland.
7) Diphenhydramine+Acetaminophen (Tylenol PM)
Taken together, acetaminophen and diphenhydramine have been shown to provide a synergistic effect that can help you fall asleep faster. However, the combined effect of the two drugs could be dangerous, often leading to short-term memory loss or confusion. If that wasn’t enough to scare you off, this drug has also been shown to cause rashes, upset stomachs, and constipation.
8) Doxylamine (Unisom)
A derivative of the antihistamine diphenhydramine, doxylamine has been used as a sleep aid for over two decades. There have been many reported cases of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction that can result in death) from people taking this drug. Other incredibly serious side effects of doxylamine include irregular heartbeat, seizures, and confusion.
9) Amobarbital (Amytal)
Amobarbital is a barbiturate that has been used since the 1930s to help induce sleep. Although it has largely fallen out of use, this medication can be highly addictive and should only be used when sleeping through the night is especially difficult. Other side effects include sweaty palms, nausea, vomiting, and increased blood pressure; if you experience any of these conditions, stop taking this drug immediately and seek medical attention.
10) Zolpidem (Ambien)
Zolpidem is a sedative that has been used to treat insomnia for just over a decade. A lot of debate exists regarding the safety and efficacy of Ambien; while some claim it causes vivid hallucinations, others have experienced no side effects whatsoever.
Serious side effects of zolpidem include nausea, stomach pain, dry mouth, and itching. Some people also have trouble sleeping for up to two hours after taking the medication.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) SLEEP MEDICATIONS INCLUDE:
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach (especially in the morning when waking up)
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision or changes in vision (when taking pills that contain antihistamines)
- Confusion or feeling like you’re in a fog (when taking pills that contain antihistamines)
- Drowsiness the next day.
Caution for certain groups of people
1. Pregnant women or new mothers should talk to their doctor before taking any medications for sleep problems.
2. People with depression or chronic lung disease should avoid sleeping pills whenever possible since they can cause breathing difficulties.
3. People with liver disease should avoid sleeping pills since they can interact with other medications.
4. People who are taking sedatives or tranquilizers for mental health problems should not take sleep medication without the express approval of their doctor.
Conclusion
If you have tried every trick in the book to get a full night’s rest but are still having trouble sleeping, think about your lifestyle and environment before reaching for the pill bottle. Keep your bedroom as dark as possible; make sure it is cool and comfortable; reduce caffeine intake after lunch, and cut out alcohol (which can disrupt sleep even more than medication).
It’s also worth noting that the effects of OTC sleep aids can last for up to 10 hours; if you wake up in the middle of the night, there is a good chance you won’t be able to fall back to sleep without help.