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Sleep aids: Understand over-the-counter options

Trouble sleeping? Over-the-counter sleep aids 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 — sleeping on a regular schedule, avoiding caffeine and daytime naps, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Still, it's been weeks and a good night's sleep remains elusive. Is it time for an over-the-counter sleep aid? Here's what you need to know if you're considering medication to help you sleep.

Sleep aids: Not a magic cure

Over-the-counter sleep aids can be effective for an occasional sleepless night. There are a few caveats, however. Most over-the-counter sleep aids contain antihistamines. 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. In addition, some over-the-counter sleep aids 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 over-the-counter sleep aids.

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References
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  2. Zhang D, et al. Next-day residual sedative effect after nighttime administration of an over-the-counter antihistamine sleep aid, diphenhydramine, measured by positron emission tomography. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2010;30:694.
  3. Melatonin. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 16, 2011.
  4. Valerian. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 16, 2011.
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  6. Generic drugs: Questions and answers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm100100.htm. Accessed Sept. 19, 2011.
  7. Side effects of sleep drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm107757.htm. Accessed Sept. 19, 2011.
  8. Krystal AD. Pharmacologic treatment: Other medications. In: Kryger MH, et al. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:916.
  9. Morin CM, et al. Insomnia: Nature, diagnosis, and treatment. In: Chokroverty S, et al. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2011:723.
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SL00016 Dec. 10, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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