Welcome to EmpowHER and thanks for your question. Most over-the-counter sleep aids contain antihistamines. Tolerance to the sedative effects of antihistamines can develop quickly — so the longer you take them, the less likely they are to make you sleepy. In addition, some over-the-counter sleep aids can leave you feeling groggy and unwell the next day. This is the so-called hangover effect. Medication interactions are possible as well, and much remains unknown about the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter sleep aids. Some doctors suggest the use of Melatonin as a supplement when your body doesn’t produce much of it. Natural Melatonin levels can drop with age. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. Very small amounts of it are found in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Hope this was helpful?
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Hi Jessica,
Welcome to EmpowHER and thanks for your question. Most over-the-counter sleep aids contain antihistamines. Tolerance to the sedative effects of antihistamines can develop quickly — so the longer you take them, the less likely they are to make you sleepy. In addition, some over-the-counter sleep aids can leave you feeling groggy and unwell the next day. This is the so-called hangover effect. Medication interactions are possible as well, and much remains unknown about the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter sleep aids. Some doctors suggest the use of Melatonin as a supplement when your body doesn’t produce much of it. Natural Melatonin levels can drop with age. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. Very small amounts of it are found in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Hope this was helpful?
Best,
Daisy
October 28, 2013 - 6:29amThis Comment
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