Ask your doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist - they are specialists with. As soon as you depression is properly treated the sleeping problem and tiredness will also get much better. Both prescription and OTC medications that contain these drugs are called sedative hypnotics. If it is considered necessary, then it should be used at the lowest possible dose and for a limited time. You are very much under-treated at the moment - there are may other different kinds of antidepressants that may work better than Aropax. The top brands of OTC sleep aids contain one of two main ingredients: diphenhydramine and doxylamine. But your health care provider should watch you carefully to make sure that the drug is helping and not causing bad side effects. Doxylamine (Unisom Sleep Tabs): Another sleep-inducing OTC medication, its side effect profile is similar to that of diphenhydramine (discussed above). Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex, Gravol, generic)Ĭonsider these drugs if the sleep problems are affecting your quality of life and nothing else has helped.Avoid these over-the-counter sleep drugs: Side effects of some drugs can be especially bothersome for seniors: next-day drowsiness, confusion, constipation, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating. Over-the-counter drugs may not be a good choice. Sometimes medications under the class antipsychotics or antidepressants are prescribed primarily for sleep including: adults, nearly one-third of people who complained of sleep problems at least once per week said they had used an over-the-counter or. Kinds of sleeping pills (sedative-hypnotics).Īll of these pills have risks, especially for older adults: In a July 2018 Consumer Reports survey of 1,767 U.S. Sleep problems can be caused by depression or anxiety, pain, restless leg syndrome, and many other conditions.Įven if an exam does not turn up an underlying cause, you should try other solutions before you try drugs (tips for better sleep are found below). The rate of suicide-related incidents involving common over-the-counter painkillers, like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin, increased by 33.5 between 20, according to new research. There are also concerns they may be as addictive as other sedatives. Studies suggest they have as much or more risk than the older sleep drugs. “Z” drugs include Zolpidem (Ambien and generic) and Zopiclone (Imovane and generic). These are common causes of hospitalization and death in older people. Melatonin, a naturally occurring brain hormone, works differently than sleeping pills, but both types of medicine have their pros, cons and potential. More than double the risk of falls and hip fractures.The drugs can cause confusion and memory problems as well as changes in balance that:

Seniors are likely to be more sensitive to the drugs’ effects than younger adults.Īnd these drugs may stay in their bodies longer. Sominex is based on promethazine rather than diphenhydramine, but other than that. Price: £4.59 Buy now from Chemist Direct. Sleeping pills can have serious, or even deadly side effects.Īll sedative-hypnotic drugs have special risks for older adults. Sominex: Best OTC sleeping pill for a fresh head in the morning.

Over the counter sleeping pills