If you’re struggling with insomnia, you might have checked out the over-the-counter sleep aid section in your local pharmacy and wondered if anything on those shelves might help put a stop to the tossing and turning. Are OTC sleep medications safe? What do they actually do? Which one might be best for you?
Sleep medications that you can buy without a prescription include several categories:
Sleep medications that you can buy without a prescription are generally safe, but they do come with some risks. Daytime grogginess can happen with all over-the-counter sleep aids, and the side effects of the antihistamine medications, like blurred vision, confusion, and constipation, can be a particular problem for older adults. They can also increase the effects of, or interact with, alcohol or other sleep medications you may be taking, so it’s wise to avoid combining them with other substances. And while they don’t typically lead to dependency, over time your body can develop a tolerance to them, meaning you may need higher doses to get the same effect. Never exceed the recommended dose on the sleep aid’s packaging.
It’s also important to know that supplements, like melatonin, valerian, and CBD, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as strictly as other medications. That means that there’s really no way to know for sure if the pill contains what it says on the label.
Over-the-counter sleep aids are best for use in the short term, to overcome a brief bout of sleeplessness or to cope with jet lag. They are generally not useful for long-term chronic insomnia. If your sleep troubles last more than about a week, check with your doctor to see if there are underlying problems (like sleep apnea, stress, or anxiety). They may suggest additional interventions, like prescription sleep aids or cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help with insomnia. You may also be prescribed a sleep study, which evaluates your brain waves, movements, and breathing during sleep and can pinpoint problems you may not be aware of.
SOURCES:
Mayo Clinic: “Sleep aids: Understand over-the-counter options.”
Mayo Clinic: “Melatonin.”
Cleveland Clinic: “What to Know About Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids.”
Sleep Foundation: “CBD As a Sleep Aid.”
Banner Health: “Are Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Risky to Take Long-Term?”
Harvard Health Publishing: “Are Drugstore Sleep Aids Safe?”
12 reasons why you’re tired — and how to fight them.
Can you tell myth from fact?
What do your dreams say about you?
11 ways to make the morning easier.
© 2005 – 2021 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
See additional information.
