20 Best Otc Medicine For Sleep (2022 Updated)

I fall asleep pretty fast and really soundly whenever I take these, and this is coming from a lifelong insomniac. My only issue is they don’t leave you feeling *super* well-rested even if you technically slept well / a long time.

WARNING: at least where I got them, the sleep gels and tabs are different. These tabs work great. However the gels are diphenhydramine and the 50mg of that has given me panic attacks in the past. Just be aware how Benadryl affects you before trying either sleep aids.

I’ve never used this for sleep, strange as it may seem. I have used it during pregnancy to help control my intense morning sickness. I would take one at night with vitamin b6, and my nausea would be gone by the next morning.

The prescription that is basically the same thing was about $400 for a week’s supply! I had to take something pretty much my whole pregnancy otherwise I literally couldn’t keep food down, so this was a huge life (and money!) saver for me.

Obviously check with your doctor before taking for an off label use.

Unisom does what it’s meant to do. You will fall asleep quickly. Amount and quality of sleep will not be an issue for you HOWEVER, you will also feel like you’ve been hit by a bus. The brain fog persists for a few hours after you begin your day.

Melatonin is an easier alternative (but it’s also not perfect), some people build up a tolerance to melatonin and have to look elsewhere. If that is you, Unisom is your answer. Just prepare for a slightly more difficult morning.

I suffer from chronic arthritis and these tablets really do make the difference between quality sleep and laying awake all night tossing & turning. Take them an hour before bed is best. They’re non-addictive and you do need breaks from them occasionally in order to get the full effect of them but I’ve been taking these for easily 10 years plus with no ill effects whatsoever.

I have recommended them to friends when they’re having trouble sleeping and have been told that they’re a godsend. Definitely worth a try, even for the chronic insomniac.

Much cheaper than buying OTC sleep aids sold in the UK and ordering the 192 tablet pack from US stays below the threshold for customs clearance charges. The brand is from a major wholesaler supplying grocery stores with many kinds of OTC medications in the US.

There are fewer restrictions there on pack sizes and the stores where they can be sold. Doxylamine has a longer duration of action than diphenhydramine so may be more effective for people with early awakening symptoms, but also more likely to cause daytime sedation.

It’s commonly sold OTC in many countries but not in the UK, presumably for the above reason. Having said all that, I’m not qualified to give medical advice, and the regular use of any sleep aid should not be undertaken without expert medical advice.

I take it only after having had such advice. It is available on prescription in the UK, but not licensed as a sleep aid, only for morning sickness. Many would advise against buying any medicine from an unlicensed internet source.

I have used several sleep aids in the past; usually the generic stuff that is sold at Rite Aid as well Amazon’s own kind. I was a little skeptical buying 2 bottles (192 pills total) for the non-sale price of just $6.

99 (that’s under 4 cents a pill). However, after using this countless times to help me sleep, these little pills are the real deal. I was out 30-45 minutes after I took one of these. Best of all, I didn’t have that tired, groggy feeling in the morning.

These are now my go-to sleep aid pills whenever I feel that insomnia kicking in.

So I tried this sleeping pills only once I took 1 pill around 2:30am because I couldn’t sleep and oh my goodness that think knocked me OUT within an hour. That day I overslept didn’t hear the alarms or the phone calls at 6am someone woke me up at 7:15am I went right back to sleep then I woke up again at 8:10 am to put my sibling to school and the I went back to sleep until like 2pm.

I believe I have insomnia and whenever I wake up for more than using the restroom in the middle of the night I stay up for a few hours then go back to sleep with this gel capsule by unisom I went right back to sleep.

I felt so sleepy like when I have gotten so drunk that I felt so tired. So in a way that’s great you know this pill will make you rest but be aware that if you work the next day it might not be the best for you since it is so strong.

And this was not my first time taking sleeping pills I have tried my fair share but this is too strong. I took of one star because the time I took it the whole day I felt useless because I was sleeping beauty all day and when you have things to do and kids to watch after this is not the best.

I used these prior to getting a prescription sleep aid. I gave these 5 stars for several reasons. They are generally always on sale. Cost can be a factor when you use something on the daily. I could usually get a least 2 hours of uninterrupted sleep while using these.

Alot, when you wake up for no reason, or need to use them in the daytime because you didn’t sleep at night. No groggy feeling for me. Were they strong enough? Absolutely not. I usually average 15 minutes of deep sleep on my prescription sleeping pills, so I give kudos to these for assisting in a decent nap.

i have purchased these in store. i like how each dose is 2 pills. 2 of these make me groggy. a half dose works great. sleep through the night and no grogginess the next day. i work with heavy machinery so the half dose is perfect.

I’ve been using these for are least 5 years. i know what works for me. try a half dose of these. might works for you too.

Great for nights when you just can’t fall asleep. Active ingredient is Diphenhydramine HCI. Take as directed. Non habit forming. They really work! Just as good as name brand and saves money.

I went off my prescription also medicine and swapped to this over the counter sleep aid. I have to tell you it works as well or better for me than the prescription did. I also dont have any of the hangover, groggy feeling I got with the prescription.

Equate Night Sleep Caps are very affordable and effective. I fall asleep and stay asleep with this medication and feel safer taking it.

These are non-habit forming and work very well. I’ve used them for years and the effect does not change. Within 20-30 minutes of taking one I’m barely able to keep my eyes open. They don’t leave me feeling groggy the next morning like Benadryl does.

I am so glad that Wal-Mart has these to offer. The price is great compared to name brands and also it is very hard to find this particular “type” of sleep-aid. Most of them are Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and I can’t take that.

If you can’t either. these work great. No groggy feeling in the morning either. Give them a try.

These are a lifesaver for me. I sleep all night long without interruption. I like them a lot better than melatonin or the allergy type sleep medicines. I do not wake up with drowsiness or medicine head!.

I usually take some sort of sleep aid in the evening – hoping to not need them someday. I’ve tried valarian root, magnesium, different doses and forms of melatonin, CBD tinctures, and RX sleep aids. I’m a fan of this one because it’s affordable, works relatively quickly, and you can easily take half a donate (one pill instead of two) to adjust to your needs.

It doesn’t leave me feeling drained and exhausted in the morning. I like that it’s not as strong as many sleep aides, non-habit forming (allegedly) and great for someone like me who wants something to help fall asleep that packs more punch than most all-natural sleep supplements.

If you can’t sleep this is the best over the counter medicine out there. You can either take one or half of one and you will still doze off and have a great sleep. I took this while pregnant and it helped for those sleepless nights.

I never felt drowsy after. It’s always the first product I recommend for sleep problems.

It works but my body fights it. When I am asleep I have insanely vivid and ostentatious dreams. I also feel groggy the next morning. I take it if I really need sleep but due to the way it affects me, it’s a total mixed bag.

I have had insomnia as long as I can remember so I’m very familiar with diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in this medication). But, for some strange reason Sleepinal works much better for me than any other brands.

I fall asleep fast and stay asleep. I don’t wake up feeling drugged either. Highly recommend.

The best sleeping pill! I’ve tried them all, OTC and prescription, these are the only ones that always work for me!

You have awesome products that works well. My family loves your store and associates ty

Why are these reformulated as only swallowable tabs? What about the persons who cannot swallow tablets, especially children? Can they be dissoved in a little bit of water, (creating a suspension) for children or the elderly? As far as I know (and from experence) homeopathics work faster if taken sublingually (under the tongue) as they enter the body tissue faster than if swallowed and having to go through the digestive process first.

Also I prefer takiing homeopathics because they do not have to be swallowed. Making a homeoptic into a tablet kind of seems it would defeat the purpose of not needing to swallow tablets.

The past two months has been a 2020 nightmare of prescribed meds side effects that kept me up many nights due to a REALLY bad case of sinusitus that has triggered sleep anxiety. Before I only had very minor sleep issues now I have MAJOR sleep issues, I only would take 25mg of diphenhydramine and sleep peacefully in the past, now that doesn’t even work! While having sinusitus, I took some night time cough syrup one night and actually felt REALLY sleepy.

When I looked at the meds on the back, it had an Acetaminophen (650mg), dextromethorphan (20mg), phenylephrine (10mg) and DOXYLAMINE SUCCINATE (12. 5). I researched all of them and found that the Doxylamine Succinate causes the sleepiness.

Now that my sinuses are better, I still needed a sleep aid to help with my unfortunate newly developed insomnia. My doctor prescribed me clonazepam (0. 5mg) and trazondone (100mg). It helped me sleep about 5 hours and would take me about a hour to doze off.

I’ve taken trazodone in the past from a friend but thought diphenhydramine was better. So, I reduced the trazodone down to 50mg vs 100mg and substituted half of it that with 25mg of Doxylamine Succinate.

I now fall asleep within’ 20 or 30 minutes. IF THAT! I sleep no less than 5 hours (6 to 8 on weekends) and this $4 box of sleep aid has been pure greatness for me. I plan to eventually wean from the trazadone and clonazepam by Janurary because this medication I think will be an excellent aid in doing it.

It may not be for everyone but for those who are really insomniacs and struggle with sleep, looking for help by reading/researching reviews as I’ve done in the past, I felt the need to post this for you guys to see.

I am not fake, I do not write reviews for companies to increase sales, this is a true testimony and I am sleeping better which is allowing my body to heal from the stress and anxiety of not sleeping.

For $4, it is REALLY worth a try and highly recommended.

I have used this product for 21 years and usually 1/2 will work to put me to sleep and keep me to sleep; however, they have recently changed their coating on the tablet from white to blue. It no longer works.

I even started to take a whole one instead of a half without great success. I might sleep a little. I don’t know what happened but it does not work for me anymore. Maybe it works for you. I have to find something else now.

I take these daily because I have quite bad insomnia. For years I was taking prescription sleep aids. But one dr would prescribe it and another would take me off. Because they can become rather addictive.

So I found these in Walmart one day and have used them ever since. I have no groggy feeling in the morning. They usually last about 7 hours for me. I’ve tried other OTC brands but this is the only one that is reasonably priced and has the doxylamine succinate in it.

Every other I’ve seen has the same active ingredient as Benadryl. Which in that case you should just buy Benadryl. But I’d have to say it won’t last nearly as long IMO.

I use pretty much only when backpacking. I’m often sore and tired, so the Advil part works, but the “PM” part often makes for a long night of uninterrupted sleep, something I’ve never experienced in almost 50 years of backpacking.

For decades, I’d sleep fitfully, tossing and turning for hours. Such a massive relief to sleep though the night without any sort of “hangover”. Seems like I get healthy sleep. Getting a solid night’s sleep when out in the mountains is pretty amazing.

Makes a huge difference. The effect is not always the same but Advil PM makes an obvious difference and sometimes an amazing difference.

I have suffered from insomnia for years. Medical pros want to just prescribe prescription sleeping pills, which I’m not too keen on taking. On the nights I need to sleep well so I can be alert the next day, I always reach for the Advil PM.

I only need one tablet and I’m able to fall asleep quickly, sleep more deeply, and still wake up without that groggy feeling. I definitely recommend it for occasional use!.

This product is far to under rated. It works fast it’s effect never side effects and I recommend it to everyone. You can’t judge it if you don’t try it and when you try it you won’t want any other. I love this product and so will anyone that’s ever going to allow themselves to try it.

It is now my go to for so many reasons. Thanks for producing finally something worth bragging about.

I am a person that often finds it difficult to sleep at night due to racing thoughts and I have tried many different kind of sleep aids over the years, some have been better than others. I decided to try ZzzQuil Ultra Tablets, as it is a product that I have not used previously and so far I am very impressed with the results.

After one week of use, I am finding that I am finding it easier to fall asleep each night and I seem to be getting a full 7 hours sleep, which is actually unheard of for me. I am also finding that I do not suffer from grogginess the next day, which is extremely important to me; other products that I have used in the past have made me extremely tired the following day, I have not experienced this with ZzzQuil Ultra Tablets.

Overall I have definitely had extremely positive results from this product, my only complaint is the packaging, I find it annoying to get the product out, but I will deal with it, mainly because the product works so well.

This is a product that I thoroughly recommend to others and I will be purchasing for myself in the future.

Wow! Talk about a good night’s sleep! I suffer from sleepless night several night out of the month. I gave this a go. I would not recommend unless you have a solid 7-8 hours to sleep. The first night I took it, I fell asleep about an hour after ingestion.

Unfortunately, my toddler was awake about 5 hours later. I felt extremely groggy and my eyes felt heavy and swollen. My day was absolutely miserable and I couldn’t wait to get home after work and go straight to bed (which I did and slept the whole night through).

A few nights later, I attempted it again. I took a little earlier in the evening and laid to watch some television. The next thing I knew, my alarm was going off and it was time to start the day. No grogginess, well rested, no weird dreams through the night like with other sleep aids.

I’ll definitely be reaching for this for my occasional sleepless nights.

For the first time in my life, I have been having a serious sleep deficit that has been dragging on for over a month. A friend recommended to me to buy some sleeping syrup aids. The first time I used ZzzQuil, I was amazed that I could finally get extra hours of sleep per night to catch up on my average hours of sleep per night much faster.

This product really works! Being on a sleep deficit has NEVER happened to me before in my life, and I seriously need a sleep aid to get caught up on my rest. My number one rule for using ZzzQuil (or just non-habit forming sleep aids in general) is to only take them at night before going to bed, and never take them at any other time of the day (except occasionally in the middle of the night if I feel I really need another dose).

This is my personal rule, as I tried just two different times to take it during the day, but could not sleep simply because it was the daytime and, instead, my body felt really funny for awhile before the effects of the sleep aid wore off.

A plastic bottle of gummies. Small sweets that are good for you and also taste nice to eat. The bottle has a plastic top. It is one of those that for a moment you will find difficult to get off, but it will come with a good twist.

These are natural passionfruit flavour, with lavender. Not for kids. And you should have no more than two a day. See the product listing for all the contents. These ones are designed to help you sleep better.

So are best to eat late in the day. They are circular and about the size of an old fashioned five pence piece. But a little bit wider of course. I would call the taste raspberry like. And quite pleasant with it.

I like sleep gummies because you do feel more relaxed after eating them, and thus sleep comes easier.

I am very glad I decided to give it a try. I do not take anything for sleep on a regular basis, but only when I did something very strenuous, to alleviate the aches and be able to fall asleep. And I discovered that ZzzQuil (really do not like the name, sounds like a four year old came up with it!) is just what I need.

It does not knock you out, but rather softly and gently helps to fall asleep. I take it about 20-25 minutes before going to bed and by the time I am ready to go to sleep it starts to act. Because I had to catch-up on gardening, I took these pills several times in the past ten days.

Every time they worked great! The only thing is you have to take them slightly before bedtime. Great help. If you sometimes have trouble falling asleep and would like a little help occasionally – these might be just the ticket.

Very happy I discovered it.

I received Night Pain GelTabs at a time when I was doing some extra heavy work around the house. At the end of the evening, I was extremely tired and sore. My muscles ached so badly that movement was horribly uncomfortable.

My thoughts were that I would not be able to sleep to be rested to continue the laborious tasks that I needed to finish. However, taking Night Pain GelTabs before bed had me feeling like a new person in the morning.

For the duration of my heavy labor work, I used Night Pain GelTabs to get a good nights rest and to feel energized to continue.

We received a free sample of Unisom SleepMelts from HomeTesterClub and we were very happy with how well this product works! My husband often has trouble falling asleep, but he’s always concerned that he’ll wake up groggy if he takes medication.

Since this was our first time trying the SleepMelts product, he decided to use them on the weekend, when he wouldn’t have to wake up refreshed for work. The next morning, my husband didn’t feel groggy and woke up ready for the day! What I also really like about this product is that it is dissolvable on the tongue, and while it doesn’t taste the greatest, it’s definitely tolerable.

I also appreciate that the SleepMelts are non-habit forming and only contain one active ingredient. So far, we’ve had a really good experience with this product and I highly recommend that you give SleepMelts a chance.

This is a generic version of Unisom Sleeptabs. Unlike all the other products on the market, this uses doxylamine succinate not diphenhydramine (active ingredient in Benadryl). Both are antihistamines that cause drowsiness which is why they are used as sleep aids.

But, doxylamine succinate doesn’t have the same problem as the products that contain diphenhydramine, namely losing effectiveness. Any product that contains diphendraymine, like Benadryl, generic Benadryl, or the other more costly sleep aids (which have the same ingredient), will cause drowsiness when you first take them.

After awhile, your body adjusts and you lose the drowsiness effect, which defeats the purpose of taking them. This product doesn’t have that problem. It’s a good alternative to the costly name brands and works well for continued use.

A word of caution. This product is strong. If you don’t have time to devote 8 hours to sleep, you will have trouble waking up and be drowsy the next day. Also, taking half a pill can be just as effective.

You can start with half and if needed take the other half.

I’ve been ordering and using this product for many years and was very happy with it until I got this recent batch. I don’t know if it’s a new brand or something else but it had no effect at all. To give it a fair trial I continued to take it for another eight weeks with the same result.

I have use this product for years. Good Sense has the same sleep component as Unisom. I only need half a tab to keep me asleep. Good Sense is an excellent sleep aid, effective and money saving.

Works great, one of my go to sleep aids. As long as you are ready to catch the sleep wave. If you fight through that slight wave of sleepiness at any point, you’re gonna pass it altogether and be left in the most terrible half sleep state all night.

I tend to get restless leg syndrome and my muscles are itchy if I don’t immediately lie with my eyes closed as soon as I start feeling tired. Also don’t be tempted to take more to help if you’re especially struggling.

All it will do it keep you exhausted but awake for the next two days or until it flushes from your system.

It works perfect, just follow the directions on the leaflet. It’s not addictive cause sometimes I “manage” to forget to take them. and have a crappy night causing the lack of of sleep. Delivery was quick.

They work!

This product is very good l hadnt slept for weeks l was desperate for sleep.l sent for these pills and was surprised they worked the first time l took them.brilliant

I received the product BOIRON SLEEPCALM® MELTAWAY TABLETS free to try from PINCHme in return for my honest review. I can’t believe it actually helped me fall asleep right away! Typically, this is a HUGE challenge for me and very little actually does the trick or if it does, it loses it’s efficacy after a short while, but not this! I often have a VERY hard time falling asleep mostly because my body can’t calm down enough and my brain can’t stop THINKING in overdrive late at night.

These tablets really helped my body relax enough somehow and actually achieve a calm state where I was able to fall asleep. What really stood out and grabbed my attention about this is that it’s actually Melatonin-free AND better yet, it’s plant powered! I feel that’s why I really didn’t experience any groggy-ness in the morning after taking the recommended dose the night before.

I couldn’t get over how I actually woke up refreshed for ONCE! I would highly recommend this product! I hope it works for you as it did me.

Helped me sleep well, naturally! I received a sample of the Sleepcalm Melatonin-Free Tablets from PINCHme in exchange for an honest review. As a mom on the go, it’s hard to get my mind to stop racing at night so I can relax and get a good night’s sleep.

I was excited to try this product because it is plant based, doesn’t contain melatonin, won’t interact with my current meds AND says it’s not habit forming. Well, I was ready to test it out and have to say, I am now convinced that ‘whatever they put in there’ works! The tablets are convenient because I didn’t need water – just stick two under my tongue.

There isn’t a bad taste and it seems to take affect within about 15 minutes (for me!). I have used them several times and have even skipped a couple nights to make sure my body wasn’t missing it. I definitely sleep better with these tablets and plan to use them on those nights I can’t get my mind to relax!!.

I waited to give this review until I had tested it for at least two weeks. I suffer from mild insomnia and struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. This does work at helping me to fall asleep and stay asleep.

The tablets dissolve easily and don’t have an unpleasant taste. That being said, I did have more disturbing dreams while using this. I am prone to this when taking sleep aids, including melatonin. If you are prone to disturbing dreams when taking sleep aids and want to avoid that, this may not be the best option for you.

My dreams were not full nightmares as they’ve been with other OTC sleep aids, so I find it more acceptable for me personally. If you can handle changes to the nature of your dreams, this could be a good fit for you as well.

Overall, I did fall asleep faster, remain asleep, and wake feeling more refreshed so the mildly disturbing dreams feel like an acceptable trade off for me.

I have, for the past 30-40 years had tremendous trouble being able to both fall asleep and then STAY asleep during the night. This little tablet has helped me relax and drift off and on the odd occasion that I do wake up in the night, it’s no longer with the fear that I’m not going to be able to get back to sleep (and therefore won’t be able to deal with normal life the next day), but I do genuinely feel calm enough to ‘allow’ myself to go back to sleep, albeit for only an hour or so, but in most cases, that’s still enough to now make me feel that I’m getting some control over my sleeping cycle.

Only those people who suffer with insomnia, will recognise the anxiety it can cause. Please just try them for a while – they may just work for you too!.

I started taking Sominex about six months ago as I had not gotten good sleep in three or more years. I was a 24 hour a day caregiver for my husband. I only took 1 tablet at night so I could be alert if he needed me.

He died recently and I began taking 2 and they have provided much needed sleep and I look rested and have regained a little energy. I awaken alert and ready to face a new day.

Since being off work for 3 months and having no routine, I couldn’t sleep my doctor prescribed me Sominex which worked perfectly! I was a little drowsy when I woke up after 8 hours sleep but I felt tones better .

Midnight berry flavor smells like the cold medicine from your childhood you dreaded to take but tastes pretty darn good. At first you’re surprised at how grape tasting the zzzquil is and then the menthol after taste hits you and starts to slightly burn down your throat, chest and stomach.

After about an hour of taking the zzzquil it began to take effect and the pillows were a vision of delight! For the first time in a while there was no tossing and turning throughout the night. The waking up that first day is like waking out of a deep sleep you’re not ready to part with but very quickly does that feeling go away! For over a year we took melatonin supplements and it’s lost it’s effect.

This is a nice alternative, however, it feels as though if a person took zzzquil daily they May end up in the hospital from stomach ulcers or something. The label says one dose per day while also stating not to exceed 4 doses in a 24 hour period.

While I respect the label I do not believe anybody should ever feel the need to take more than one dose per day because the product works fantastically as directed. This review was collected as part of a promotion, but the thoughts and the opinions are my own.

ZZZQuil products are a trusted name in pain relief and help with getting to sleep. I tried this product when I had a headache and had tossed and turned and couldnt sleep. The taste of this product is kind of a blueberry or grape menthol (cough drop) flavor.

It is not the cherry flavor that I am used to with Other products made by this company. The flavor wasnt my favorite but it wasnt awful either. I typically take a half dose of sleep aid products so that I do not wake up groggy in the morning.

However obviously within the directions of the products different amount affect different people differently. This product did relieve my headache and did help me get a good nights sleep without making me feel groggy in the morning.

I would definitely recommend this product for when you have mild pain and are having difficulty sleeping. This review was collected as part of a promotion, but the thoughts and the opinions are my own.

I don’t always have trouble sleeping but when I do, it’s really bad. Unfortunately, melatonin does nothing for me and prescription sleep aids seem inappropriate and scary. As someone just settling back into a workout routine, I thought I’d give this a try.

I find my aches, pains and stiffness are a big problem trying to get to sleep. Let me be completely honest, when I first drank the liquid it seemed fine. Not thick at all, very thin actually and tasted ok.

But the aftertaste was enough to make me regret everything. Then that subsided and the most lovely cocoon of sleep I’d ever had enveloped me. I slept straight through and woke up feeling refreshed and pain free.

I’m really happy to have found something that works to put me to sleep and keep me asleep! So overall, I can deal with the aftertaste for the trade off of quality sleep. This review was collected as part of a promotion, but the thoughts and the opinions are my own.