Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three types of over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines for treating insomnia:

• Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
• Diphenhydramine citrate
• Doxylamine succinate

Although these sleep aids are available without a prescription, they may still cause unpleasant side effects, ranging from daytime grogginess to constipation. Furthermore, you can become tolerant of them quickly, and the FDA advises that they not be used for more than 2 weeks.

These sedating drugs are meant for short-term use only. If you have persistent sleep troubles, see your doctor.