Over-the-Counter Sleep Medications: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

The occasional use of nonprescription sleep medicine usually does not cause problems. Of course, natural sleep is best, but if you have several nights of poor sleep, a sleeping pill may help you get the rest you need. Examples of nonprescription sleeping medicines are Nytol, Sleep-Eze, and Sominex. If you use sleeping pills only occasionally and they help you sleep, there usually is no reason to worry.

Most nonprescription sleep medicine can be used safely for 7 to 10 days. Be sure to carefully read and follow all labels on the medicine bottle and box. Use, but do not exceed, the maximum recommended doses. If you are or could be pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding, call your health professional before using any medicine.

If you are taking any other medications, before taking a nonprescription sleep medicine, check with your health professional or pharmacist about possible medicine interactions.

If your health professional has prescribed a sleeping pill, it is important for you to carefully follow his or her instructions. Your health professional will monitor your use of sleeping pills to help prevent any problems.

Even occasional use of sleeping pills can cause daytime confusion, memory loss, and dizziness. Besides these problems, there are several other good reasons not to use sleeping pills, prescription or nonprescription, night after night. Sleeping pill use may:

• Become habit-forming.
• Increase sleeping problems when the pills are stopped (rebound insomnia).
• Hide the real reason for poor sleep, such as a medical or mental health problem.
• Affect your alertness the next day.
• Cause other health problems (side effects), such as anxiety or depression, blurred vision, loss of appetite, nausea, or dependence on the medicine.
• Cause interactions with other medications.
• Cause serious medical problems when taken with alcohol or other illegal substances.

Initially, drinking alcohol may cause sleepiness. Many people drink alcohol to help them go to sleep. However, when you drink alcohol, you are more likely to awaken later in the night. This actually may cause more sleep problems. In the morning, you may not feel rested.

If you are worried about your use of sleeping pills or alcohol, work with your health professional to develop a plan to promote sleep without the use of sleeping pills or alcohol.