Which sleep aid is the best otc sleep aid available today? There are many over the counter sleep aids available at the local drug store, and many of them have the same ingredients. In addition to traditional medication there are also a number of homeopathic treatments that assist a person with sleep.
Best OTC Sleep Aid
If ten different people were asked their opinions regarding which medication is the best otc sleep aid you will get ten different answers. People who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep generally find something that works and stick with it. Medication like Tylenol PM is simply a combination of acetaminophen and Benadryl. Acetaminophen has been shown to cause liver damage and liver failure when used in excess or for long periods of time. Taking Tylenol PM each night to help fall asleep means you are not only taking Benadryl to help fall asleep, you are taking an unnecessary dose of acetaminophen. Advil PM is another sleep aid that contains Ibuprofen and Benadryl. Ibuprofen has been shown to cause kidney problems and stomach problems when used for long periods or in high doses. The amount of Ibuprofen in each tablet of Advil PM is relatively minimal but with continued use a person can cause kidney issues. Store brand over the counter sleep aids contain the same thing as the name brand medications.
Benadryl is the key ingredient in over the counter sleep aids. The best otc sleep aid is one that contains Benadryl. You can even take Benadryl alone and avoid the harmful effects of taking acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for an excessive amount of time. The labeled use for Benadryl is for controlling allergies or allergic reactions to a myriad of environmental allergens. A side effect of Benadryl is that it makes you sleepy. This is why Benadryl is used for a sleep aid.
Homeopathic sleep aids have taken a front seat in the world as of late. The public is becoming more conscious of things they put into their bodies and are making an effort to use medications that are from plants or other herbs. The best otc sleep aid that is homeopathic is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland. As a person ages, the amount of melatonin produced by the body decreases and some older adults do not produce any natural melatonin at all. Taking a melatonin supplement in the evening is safe for short-term and long-term use and is effective as a sleep aid. Melatonin should only be taken in its man-made form when taken as a supplement. The normal dose of melatonin for an adult is between 0.2 mg and 20 mg.
Best OTC Sleep Aid – The Conclusion
There are many over-the-counter sleep aids available to the public today. Choosing a sleep aid that works for you is a matter of trial and error. Before deciding to take a sleep aid that contains Benadryl and a mild pain reliever, consider the long-term effects of the pain reliever on the body and decide if taking just Benadryl would be the best choice. If the homeopathic route is a better choice for you, try taking melatonin. Deciding which sleep aid is the best otc sleep aid is a matter of personal preference.
