Nonprescription sleep aids - recommendations (specialist, medication, chronic, prescribe)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I use Ambien often which requires an rx. It works okay.
Can you tell me which non-rx sleep aids you've used that worked and which ones haven't?
I just thought it would be nice if I could use something besides the Ambien.
I can usually take a nap during the day if I want to. But I can't fall asleep at night without the Ambien.
There have been lots of threads on this topic, so you might find other suggestions there. But OTC Benadryl works for most people. Also sold as Zzzz, Tylenol PM, Nyquil, etc. -- it's all the same active ingredient -- so save your money and just buy the generic version of diphenhydramine, usually sold under store names as an antihistamine. It doesn't for me -- I have a "paradoxical reaction" and get wired on it -- so I use either melatonin (I need 10 mg.) or the OTC generic doxylamine (also sold for more money as Unisom). I also use small doses of generic prescription Xanax -- I try to rotate all of these so I don't develop a tolerance to or dependence on any one of them -- and save prescription Ambien -- the heavy artillery -- for special occasions, such as when I'm trying to sleep in a reclining seat while traveling, lol. Some find CBD helpful, but I haven't worked up the courage to try that!
Last edited by otterhere; 10-18-2023 at 08:29 AM..
Can you tell me which non-rx sleep aids you've used that worked and which ones haven't?
I just thought it would be nice if I could use something besides the Ambien.
There are some herbal sleep aids. I have taken Herb Pharm Sleep Tonic when stressed out or traveling. It has a very mild effect. Herbs Etc also has a good product.
There are several audio programs to induce deep sleep like the Delta Sleep program
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ch_asin_title?
"Pulses of sound embedded into an ambient musical soundtrack, combining rich orchestration and "3-dimensional" sounds of nature will coax your own brainwaves toward their natural pattern of deep Delta Sleep."
Kelly Howell also has a similar program. These programs will really help with sleep.
"INWARD HARMONY is a continuous angelic music that brings balance and harmony to all of life.
A man who had taken medication every night for five years for his insomnia quit taking his medicine and now listens to Inward Harmony every night and sleeps like a baby."
BTW about 20 years ago I tried Sominex and it was horrid. I was able to sleep a little but I felt totally sleepy the entire next day.
In common with many OTC sleep aid Sominex was Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. If you've ever taken allergy or other meds that contain antihistamines you know besides making you drowsy it can take a while to get clear of that effect. This is why persons are advised not to operate heavy machinery, drive, etc... after taking antihistamines and for some time afterwards.
I have a prescription for Ambien but I only take it 3-4 times a month. Knowing it's there if I can't fall asleep helps. That said, I take melatonin in a small dose - 2 mg every night. I buy chewable 1 mg pills on Amazon and take 2. Most melatonin supplements have anywhere for 3-10 mg and I find that way too much for me. It's easier to start low and add more if needed. I've also been taking 10 mg of CBD - but not the full spectrum kind that has THC. It seems to help me sleep longer and deeper so the combo of the melatonin and CBD usually results in falling asleep and staying asleep.
I've had horrible insomnia in the past and tried dozens of things and this combo works for me.
One thing I do not recommend is the diphenhydramine based sleep aids (aka Benadryl). You'll find those in all the PM type pain relievers and Z-quil. Studies show an increased risk of dementia if used over a prolonged period.
I have a prescription for Ambien but I only take it 3-4 times a month. Knowing it's there if I can't fall asleep helps. That said, I take melatonin in a small dose - 2 mg every night. I buy chewable 1 mg pills on Amazon and take 2. Most melatonin supplements have anywhere for 3-10 mg and I find that way too much for me. It's easier to start low and add more if needed. I've also been taking 10 mg of CBD - but not the full spectrum kind that has THC. It seems to help me sleep longer and deeper so the combo of the melatonin and CBD usually results in falling asleep and staying asleep.
I've had horrible insomnia in the past and tried dozens of things and this combo works for me.
One thing I do not recommend is the diphenhydramine based sleep aids (aka Benadryl). You'll find those in all the PM type pain relievers and Z-quil. Studies show an increased risk of dementia if used over a prolonged period.
I'm sure the bolded is the key here. That's not the sort of use those OTC meds are appropriate for. Making use of a Tylenol PM two or three time a year probably won't increase that risk.
I tried that once and it made me feel like I was dying. If one hasn't tried it before they might want to try a low dose and work up. I don't remember the brand I bought, it was at Costco.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
