Over-The-Counter Sleep Aids

Do They Really Work?

Not being able to sleep is a seriously frustrating business. Sometimes it’s a one night problem. Other times it can last a little longer — a few nights, a week or more. And with each additional night of tossing and turning, you feel the effects of daytime fatigue and aggravation slowly wearing you down.

If you suffer from occasional bouts of sleeplessness, you’ve probably considered taking an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid. The key questions are: How well do they work and are they safe? Here are a few things to consider before you buy.

Several OTC sleep aids are available at most drug and grocery stores and even over the internet. The main sleep-inducing ingredient here is usually an antihistamine drug, though some products also combine a mild pain-reliever — pain being a frequent cause of insomnia.

Antihistamines are used primarily to treat allergy symptoms, but their well-known ability to cause drowsiness has also made them useful as a sleep aid. They work (as you probably guessed from the name) by blocking histamine, a naturally occurring compound inside the body which plays many different roles. Histamine helps regulate your body’s local immune response (it’s what makes your eyes water and your nose run in an allergic reaction). But inside the brain it does something very different: it actually functions as a neurotransmitter, promoting wakefulness and alertness. So if you can block histamine inside the brain, you can open the door for sleep.

Most OTC sleep aids contain one of the following antihistamine ingredients:

How OTC Products Help

According to Sleepeducation.com, from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, studies conducted over a one to two week period indicate that OTC sleep aids can help people sleep better. Specifically, they can:

In my own experience, OTCs seem to work particularly well at breaking whatever bad cycle may have insinuated itself into my sleep pattern. A couple of years ago, I got into a cycle of waking up every morning between 4:00 and 5:00, and it often took a half-hour or more for me to get back to sleep. Taking an OTC antihistamine for a few nights broke the cycle and since then, I’ve been able to sleep right through to the morning alarm.

Why OTC?

Convenience is a big plus with over-the-counter sleep aids. No appointment with the doctor is necessary; you can pick some up as you do your weekly food shopping, swing by the corner drug store on your way home from work, or buy online from the comfort of your own home.

OTCs are relatively inexpensive, especially if you choose your store’s house brand. Most can be had for between $5 and $10 (U.S.). Try the smallest package the first time you buy to make sure it works for you, and doesn’t cause any side effects you can’t live with. The cost-per-dose is a little higher with a smaller package, but you’ll be sure the product you choose really helps, and a big bottle won’t sit unused in your medicine cabinet. Once you’re sure it’s the right product for you, a larger, money-saving package might make more sense to keep on hand for when you need it.

Possible Side Effects

Studies have identified some next-day side effects of OTC sleep aids. Keep in mind that some people experience zero to mild effects, while others experience more severe effects. Pay close attention to how your body reacts to these drugs. When you try an OTC treatment for the first time, you want to do it over the weekend or on some night when you know you won’t need to be on your toes the next day. If it turns out you don’t get along well with the drug, the time to find this out is when you’re at home, not when you’re at work or driving your car. Side effects to watch for are:

There are other contraindications for using these drugs, so read the warning labels carefully. And talk to your doctor if you still have any doubts. He is your best ally in treating any sleep problems you’re experiencing, whether mild or severe.

Try the Cheapest, Easiest Solution First

For mild to moderate, transient sleep problems, many doctors recommend starting with an OTC sleep aid rather than immediately going at the problem with a prescription medication. Often, the OTC sleep aid will quickly and effectively solve your problem without the extra time and cost of getting a prescription.

Your body will tend to adjust to the drowsiness caused by OTC medications over the course of a week or two, so don’t count on them for a long-term solution. But for occasional use, or for a short period of a couple of weeks or less, OTC sleep aids can provide a quick, convenient, and affordable solution to your minor, but maddening, sleep challenges.