It's taken in pills as well as teas (many people drink a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime). Use of this flower, which looks like a daisy, also goes back thousands of years. It has been used as a medicinal herb since the days of ancient Rome.Ĭhamomile. The root of this tall, flowering plant is said to help people fall asleep and to quell anxiety and stress. Many kinds of supplements claim to help you sleep. You might not be aware of that if you're focused only on the sleep benefits of a medication. For example, Tylenol PM contains not only 25 mg of diphenhydramine but also 500 mg of acetaminophen, a pain reliever. "And there is the potential that antihistamines may cause side effects in older adults, such as confusion and falls."Īnother risk: some over-the-counter sleep aids contain other medications. And we don't have a lot of long-term data about what happens if you use them for long periods of time," Dr. "You tend to become tolerant of the effect relatively quickly, so they stop working for you. They are generally safe but come with some risks. These medications work by blocking certain brain chemicals, which can have a sedating effect. Other over-the-counter sleep medications, such as Unisom SleepTabs, contain 25 mg per pill of an antihistamine called doxylamine succinate. Nytol, Sominex, and Unisom (the blue capsule form), for example, contain 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) of the antihistamine diphenhydramine per pill. Sleep medications that are available over the counter use antihistamines as their main active ingredient. They fall into two categories: nonprescription medications and dietary supplements. Lawrence Epstein, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School.īut which option should you reach for? Drugstore shelves are lined with a dizzying array of products promising a good night's sleep. Is it okay to take a nonprescription remedy? "They're not meant for the long term, but it may be okay for an occasional night of problems with sleep," says sleep expert Dr. DO NOT USE PRINTED SEAL UNDER CAP IS BROKEN OR MISSING.Observe these caveats if you use over-the-counter drugs or dietary supplements to help you sleep. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-80).
UNISOM SLEEP TABS PROFESSIONAL
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Insomnia may be a symptom of serious underlying medical illness.
Stop use and ask a doctor if: sleeplessness persists continuously for more than two weeks. When using this product: avoid alcoholic beverages take only at bedtime. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking any other drugs. Ask a doctor before use if you have: a breathing problem such as asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis glaucoma trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland. Warningsĭo not use in children under 12 years of age. Store at 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C. Children under 12 years of age: do not use. 1 Aluminum LakeMagnesium Stearate Microcrystalline Cellulose Sodium Starch Glycolate DirectionsĪdults and children 12 years of age and over take one tablet 30 minutes before going to bed take once daily or as directed by a doctor. Inactive Ingredients: Anhydrous Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Dihydrate FD&C Blue No. Clinically tested.Īctive Ingredients: Active Ingredients: In Each Tablet: Doxylamine Succinate 25 mg Helps to reduce difficulty in falling asleep.