Medication interactions are possible as well and much remains unknown about the safety and effectiveness of over the counter sleep aids.
Over the counter medicine to aid sleep.
In addition some over the counter sleep aids can leave you feeling groggy and unwell the next day.
Otc sleep aids generally contain one of two primary active ingredients.
There is no proof that they work well for insomnia and they can cause some drowsiness the next day.
I ve seen an increasing number of over the counter sleep aids with a combination of melatonin and herbal ingredients.
In the doses that are available over the counter antihistamines are relatively safe and they work for a lot of people says pradeep bollu m d a board certified sleep specialist and.
Accordingly many people feel safer choosing over the counter sleeping pills instead of going to their physician for medication.
I do find it interesting to try this style of sleep aid from time to time and have had good results from them.
This is the so called hangover effect.
Numbers vary but up to a quarter of americans use some sort of sleep aid to help them fall asleep according to the american academy of sleep medicine between 6 and 12 percent of americans use over the counter otc sleep aids specifically.
Active ingredients in these sleep remedies are gentler than those found in prescription strength pills.