Can You Take Melatonin And Benadryl Simultaneously
- There are no scientifically established drug interactions between melatonin and Benadryl.
- Though Benadryl and melatonin do not dangerously interact, they may cause a person to become dangerously sleepy.
- People who struggle with insomnia should take these drugs separately, then weigh the effects they get from each to decide on the right choice for their needs.
If youre sick of tossing and turning night after night, you may be ready to try an over-the-counter sleep aid. Many sleep aids contain diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl. This is a well-tolerated drug, and is safe for most people, including pregnant women and children. Yet it doesnt work for everyone. Melatonin is a very safe alternative that naturally occurs in the body. But can you mix melatonin and Benadryl if neither drug on its own lulls you to sleep? Heres what you need to know.
Downsides Of Using Benadryl For Sleep
Unfortunately, although diphenhydramine may be effective at inducing sleep, it has several side effects that make it a poor sleep aid overall.
First, diphenhydramine is only safe to use as a sleep aid in the short term. Weve explained the reasoning behind this a little further down the page.;
Second, although diphenhydramine might make you feel drowsy and help you fall asleep faster, it often causes next-day drowsiness and a hangover-like feeling in the morning. This means that while you might fall asleep faster, you may wind up feeling worse the next day.;
Third, antihistamines like diphenhydramine may affect your sleep quality, meaning that although you might sleep for longer than you would without medication, you may not feel as refreshed as you should after getting a full nights sleep.;
Fourth, your body can develop a tolerance to medications like diphenhydramine, even in just a few days.;
In a 2002 study, researchers found that although diphenhydramine 50mg worked well as a sleep aid for several days, after four days it was no more effective than a placebo.
Be Cautious With Caffeine
Are you in the habit of consuming a carbonated drink with dinner? If you suffer from insomnia, your sleeping problem could simply be caused by caffeine consumption.
According to a study done by Ph.D.. Christopher Drake, you should avoid caffeine for at least six hours prior to going to sleep. Keep in mind that other foods, like chocolate, also contain caffeine.
But avoiding consuming those products isnt the only thing you can do. Additionally, there are tasty foods that, if you eat regularly, will certainly help you sleep better.
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Prescription Sleep Aids For Insomnia
Prescription sleep medications are only available from a pharmacy, and to obtain them you must have a prescription from your doctor.
Insomnia occurs when a person cant fall asleep or stay asleep even when they have the chance to do so. It is the most common sleep disorder, and many prescription sleep aids are designed to treat insomnia.
Several kinds of drugs may be used. While they are chemically different, they have many similar effects and potential side effects. The following sections review the types of prescription drugs for insomnia to help you compare your options.
Types Of Sleep Aids: Otc Vs Natural Vs Prescription Drugs
Sleep aids fall into three main categories: over-the-counter, natural or herbal supplements, and prescription drugs.
- Over-the-counter sleep aids are typically antihistamines. Theyre designed to address short-term sleeplessness, not insomnia. Their side effects are typically mild, such as drowsiness the next day, which is why they can be sold over the counter. However, there are instances where these can be unsafe for people.
- Natural sleep aids include dietary and herbal supplements containing ingredients like melatonin, valerian, or chamomile. Like over-the-counter sleep aids, these have not proven effective as a treatment for long-term insomnia. Natural sleep aids may come in the form of herbal teas, pills, or ointments.
- Prescription drugs target different parts of the brain to induce sleep. Doxepin blocks histamine receptors, enabling the person to stay asleep throughout the night, while zolpidem help induce sleep by activating the neurotransmitter GABA and binding it to GABA receptors. Prescription drugs require a prescription because these are designed to help treat chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders like sleepwalking. These drugs are stronger and have stronger side effects which can cause extreme drowsiness, sleep-driving, or more if not taken as prescribed.
In this article, we are focusing on over-the-counter sleep aids. For information on other types of sleep aids, refer to our resource pages for Natural Sleep Aids, and Melatonin. ;;
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What If I Forget It
If you’re taking diphenhydramine to help you sleep and you forget to take it by bedtime, skip your missed dose and start again the next evening.
If you’re taking any other medicine containing diphenhydramine and forget to take a dose, take your medicine when you next need it to ease your symptoms.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
Have Some Chamomile Or Lavender
Chamomile is one of the best remedies that could help you fall asleep fast . This plant is known for its sedative, relaxing and stress relieving properties. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce sleeplessness, or the chronic inability to sleep.
Attempt infusions, capsules and essential oils made with chamomile which can allow you to take advantage of its many advantages .
If you want to use chamomile to combat insomnia, consult a physician to find the right dose for you.
Lavender essential oil is another effective weapon against sleeping problems, especially insomnia. By lowering your blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, it can help you fall asleep faster.
Check with a healthcare professional to determine if lavender essential oil will be right for you.
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Taking Benadryl And Melatonin In Children
As with adults, there is no evidence that mixing Benadryl and melatonin will cause serious drug interactions in children. But the two drugs can induce intense feelings of sleepiness. This can be especially dangerous for children, whose impulse control and executive functioning are often lacking. A tired child is a child who may make dangerous mistakes and act out at home or school.
Moreover, very tired children may actually struggle to fall asleep. This is doubly true if they doze off in school or take extra naps. Your attempt to help your child sleep better may backfire in a dazed, confused, and overtired child whos still too hyper to go to sleep the next night.
What Is The Best Otc Sleep Aid
For most people, virtually any of the OTC sleep aids are safe to use on a temporary basis. Some people find them effective, others not as much. But long-term use is not recommended.
If you feel as though one of these products benefits you and youre not encountering significant side effects, then I dont see a concern, says Dr. Alapat. But these products should not be used on a regular basis.
If you want to use one, talk to your healthcare provider and pharmacist first. This is especially true if youre pregnant, breastfeeding, take other prescription or OTC medications, have certain medical conditions like asthma, sleep apnea, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and if you are 65 or older. Its strongly recommended that elderly patients avoid taking these OTC sleep aids, especially the ones with antihistamines, says Dr. Alapat. Older people metabolize drugs differently than younger ones, explains Dr. Alapat, which means a drug can sometimes linger longer in their systems. And because they tend to take more medications than younger patients, drug interactions are more likely.
Other precautions to take:
- Read the dosing directions and dont exceed whats recommended.
- Avoid alcohol, which in and of itself can cause drowsiness.
- Dont drive or do anything that requires focus and concentration after taking sleep aids.
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Can You Take Benadryl With Melatonin
No major studies have found serious drug interactions between Benadryl and melatonin. The drugs.com database, which solicits experiences from consumers and medical providers, also does not list any severe interactions.
This means that mixing Benadryl and melatonin together is unlikely to cause severe harm, such as breathing issues or problems with your heart. That doesnt mean mixing these drugs is safe, though. Because both drugs can make you sleepy, mixing the two can cause intense sleepiness, and may even make it difficult to wake up. The day after taking these drugs, you may feel lethargic or have slower reflexes, making driving and other everyday activities more dangerous.
Instead, people with sleep difficulties should try each drug on its own. This gives you the chance to weigh how the drugs make you feel the next day, and how well they work on their own. And in the rare instance that you have an allergic or other serious reaction, taking the drugs separately means youll know which drug caused the problem.
If neither drug offers relief, youre not likely to get relief from taking the two drugs together.
Potential Downsides To Using Benadryl
Interestingly, although Benadryl is used to help people who experience allergic reactions it can, itself, be an allergen. If youre someone who is allergic to Benadryl, you obviously should not use this medication.
You should also ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take Benadryl if you have medical conditions like:
- Liver or kidney disease
- A bladder obstruction or other urinary problems
- A colostomy or ileostomy
- A blockage in the stomach
- A blockage in the intestines; or
- If you take potassium
Additionally, you should ask a doctor if taking Benadryl is okay if you are pregnant or nursing.
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Cautions With Other Medicines
Some medicines and diphenhydramine interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you’re taking:
- antidepressants, such as venlafaxine or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as phenelzine
- metoprolol, a heart medicine
- any medicine that makes you drowsy, gives you a dry mouth, or makes it difficult for you to pee taking diphenhydramine might make these side effects worse
If you’re taking a cough or cold remedy or a painkiller containing diphenhydramine, check carefully what the other ingredients are. For example, check whether it contains paracetamol. Ask your pharmacist for advice before you take this medicine together with any other painkillers or medicines.
When To Take Melatonin
Melatonin can be helpful to those who find themselves slipping into an unhealthy sleep cycle. Additionally, you might try melatonin supplements if you have a sudden life change like starting on the night shift at work, for example.
It can be used for other sleep issues as well, but a lasting intake of melatonin could have adverse effects on hormone production in certain people. You have a number of options in terms of products as well. You could try an over-the-counter option or explore something more refined like SugarBear melatonin.
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Melatonin Vs Benadryl Which Is Better For Sleep
Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. It is responsible for maintaining your bodys circadian rhythm.
Benadryl is part of a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking certain effects of histamine and is prescribed to relieve symptoms of the common cold and allergies.
According to studies, melatonin is safe and a great natural alternative to sleeping pills. However, if you take Benadryl nightly to fall asleep, you will build up a tolerance to the antihistamine and it will lose its potency, hence, it wont work anymore.
The Basics Of Melatonin
Melatonin is perhaps the single most natural supplement you can take because your body already makes it. The pineal gland is a small gland that produces certain hormones, including melatonin, in the body. In the body and the brain, this hormone is responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. The exact process of how it works is pretty complicated, involving regulating the circadian rhythm, blood pressure, and other effects. It’s even a minor antioxidant, though it’s not meant to be a dietary supplement.
Melatonin is found in two forms: natural and synthetic. Natural melatonin is an animal product that is harvested from the pineal glands of animals since animals have melatonin as well as humans. This form is not generally recommended for a few reasons. For one thing, it’s not vegan, so anyone on the vegetarian or vegan end of the spectrum will not want to consume an animal product. For another thing, there’s a small chance that animal-harvested melatonin might be contaminated with animal viruses. This is a slim chance, but it means that well-processed natural melatonin is more expensive, and can still carry a slight risk.
The other option is synthetic melatonin, which is created in a lab out of precursor ingredients. This is guaranteed to be pure and safe and free of contamination, but it might turn off some people who worry about synthetic replicas of natural compounds. Chemically there should be no difference between the two, but some people like to avoid it anyway.
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When To Talk With A Professional
If you have chronic insomnia, talk with a medical professional. They may recommend prescribed sleep aids or antidepressants with a sedating effect.
Many prescription sleep aids pose some potential risk and may not be appropriate for everyone. Pregnant people and people with certain health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, shouldnt take certain prescription sleep aids. Some may also have unwanted side effects such as dizziness. Others may experience dependence.
How Much To Take Or Use
If you’re aged over 65, start with the lower dose, as you may be more likely to get side effects.
The usual dose depends on the type of diphenhydramine you’re taking, and what you’re taking it for:
- short-term insomnia diphenhydramine comes as 25mg and 50mg tablets. You’ll usually take 50mg, 20 minutes before you go to bed.
- cough and cold symptoms diphenhydramine comes mixed with other medicines to treat the symptoms of coughs and colds. It comes as tablets, capsules and as a liquid that you swallow. The usual dose depends on the type of medicine you’re taking. Check the instructions on the packaging carefully, or ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure.
- hay fever and allergies diphenhydramine comes as 25mg and 50mg tablets. The usual dose is 25mg or 50mg, taken 3 or 4 times a day. Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day.
- insect bites, stings and eczema diphenhydramine comes as a cream which you use once or twice a day. You’ll only need a small amount, enough for a thin layer.
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Sleep Aids For Children And Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should talk with their doctor before taking any sleep aid, including dietary supplements like natural sleep aids. Some sleep medications can have harmful effects during pregnancy for either a woman or their baby. Breastfeeding women should also consult with a doctor before taking any sleep aid.
Parents should use caution before giving their child any kind of sleep aid. Most sleep medications are tested primarily in adults, and their safety and effectiveness in children may be unclear. A pediatrician can offer the most tailored advice about the optimal sleep aid for a childs situation.
Melatonin Vs Benadryl: Which One Is Right For You
The first thing to address in your search for better sleep is the root cause and the set of symptoms that youre experiencing.
You might find yourself tossing and turning at night and just make the determination that you have trouble sleeping and you need some help. A closer look can show you the finer points of your struggle and reveal what the potential cause might be.
It could be that youre not getting the right nutrients in your diet or that your schedule is throwing curveballs into your circadian rhythms. There are a number of issues that can contribute to sleep difficulties, some of them chronic.
Melatonin and Benadryl can certainly help anyone whos trying to get some sleep, but there are some issues that require further medical attention. If youre suspicious that your sleep issues run a little deeper than over-the-counter medications can go, its best to seek out professional help.
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How Do You Pick The Best Sleep Aid For You
Working closely with your doctor is the best way to compare and pick a sleep aid. A health professional can recommend the best sleep medication for your situation, accounting for factors including:
- The symptoms and cause of your sleeping problems
- Your age and overall health including other medical conditions
- Other medications that you take
Whether youre considering prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or dietary supplements, your doctor can explain the potential benefits and risks and help make sure that you take the right dosage at the right time of night.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a medical society that organizes expert panels to help guide treatment for sleep problems. AASMs recommendations for sleep medications offer useful information about sleep aids for insomnia, but your doctor can best explain how those recommendations apply in your individual circumstances.
In some cases, the best sleep aid may not be a medicine at all. Non-drug treatments such as a type of counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia or a focus on sleep hygiene can often make it easier to get to sleep. These approaches may be combined with medications as part of a plan to get better sleep over the long-term without relying on sleep aids.