Complications (1)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Lifestyle and home remedies (4)
- Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep
- Napping: Do's and don'ts for healthy adults
- Help yourself to better sleep with these tips
- see all in Lifestyle and home remedies
Risk factors (3)
- Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior
- Depression (major depression)
- Prescription and OTC sleeping pills
Tests and diagnosis (1)
- Polysomnography (sleep study)
Treatments and drugs (3)
- Insomnia treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy instead of sleeping pills
- Sleep aids: Understand over-the-counter options
- Prescription sleeping pills: What's right for you?
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Prescription and OTC sleeping pills
Battling insomnia night after night can leave you frustrated and exhausted. Sleeping pills may help, but they're not without risks. Get the scoop on the pros and cons of sleep aids.
By Mayo Clinic staffYou've followed the usual tips for getting enough sleep — sticking to 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 to consider sleeping pills?
Over-the-counter sleep aids
Before you pick up over-the-counter sleeping pills, check in with your doctor. Your doctor can evaluate whether an underlying medical disorder is contributing to or causing your sleep problems.
It's also a good idea to ask your doctor if over-the-counter sleeping pills will interact with medications you take or complicate existing health problems.
Here's a list of common choices and potential side effects:
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Unisom SleepGels). Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. Side effects might include daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness and memory problems.
- Doxylamine (Unisom SleepTabs). Doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine. Side effects are similar to diphenhydramine, including daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness and memory problems.
- 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. The most common melatonin side effects include daytime sleepiness, dizziness and headaches.
- Valerian. Supplements made from this plant might reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep as well as promote better sleep overall. However, the active ingredient isn't clear and potency can vary. Side effects of valerian supplements might include headache, abdominal discomfort, excitability or uneasiness, and heart disturbances.
If your sleep problems continue after trying over-the-counter sleep aids, see your doctor. He or she can evaluate whether prescription sleeping pills might be appropriate for you.
Next page(1 of 2)
References
- Bonnet MH, et al. Treatment of insomnia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 5, 2013.
- Buysse DJ. Insomnia. JAMA. 2013;309:706.
- Clinical guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic insomnia in adults. Philadelphia, Pa.: University of Pennsylvania Health System. http://www.aasmnet.org/Resources/ClinicalGuidelines/040515.pdf. Accessed Aug. 5, 2013.
- Diphenhydramine. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- 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.
- Foral P, et al. Insomnia: A therapeutic review for pharmacists. The Consultant Pharmacist. 2011;26:332.
- Melatonin. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 5, 2013.
- Valerian. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 5, 2013.
- Doxylamine. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- Sullivan SS. Insomnia pharmacology. Medical Clinics of North America. 2010;94:563.
- Risk of next?morning impairment after use of insomnia drugs; FDA requires lower recommended doses for certain drugs containing zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm334033.htm. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- Lunesta (prescribing information). Marlborough, Mass.: Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2012. http://sunovion.force.com. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- 13. Roth T, et al. Efficacy and safety of sleep-promoting agents. Sleep Medicine Clinics. 2008;3:175.
- Doxepin (prescribing information). San Diego, Calif.: Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2010. http://www.silenor.com/pub/hcp/. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- Estazolam (prescribing information). Corona, Calif.: Actavis, Inc.; 2008. http://www.actavis.com/en/Products/SearchProductResults.htm?group=alpha&c=E. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- Ambien (prescribing information). Bridgewater, N.J.: Sanofi-Aventis; 2013. http://products.sanofi.us/ambien/ambien.pdf. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- Ramelteon. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- Restoril (prescribing information). Hazelwood, Mo.: Mallinckrodt Inc.; 2010. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/018163s054lbl.pdf. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
- Sonata (prescribing information). Bristol, Tenn.: King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2013. http://www.pfizer.com/products/product-detail/sonata_civ. Accessed Aug. 6, 2013.
Share on:
Find Mayo Clinic on