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Ambien, Lunesta, Rozerem, and more.

Over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids and sleeping pills

The main ingredient in over-the-counter sleeping pills is an antihistamine. Antihistamines, in brand name medications such as Benadryl, are generally taken for allergies, hay fever and common cold symptoms. While the positive effects have not been substantiated through research, the side effects, such as next-day drowsiness, can be common and severe.

Common OTC sleep medications include:

Diphenhydramine (found in brand names like Nytol, Sominex, Sleepinal, Compoz)

Doxylamine (brand names such as Unisom, Nighttime Sleep Aid)

OTC sleep aids are meant to be used for short-term insomnia only. Sleep experts generally advise against the use of over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids because of side effects, questions about their effectiveness, and lack of information about their safety over the long-term.Some other OTC sleep aids combine antihistamines with the pain reliever Acetaminophen (found in brand names like Tylenol PM and Aspirin-Free Anacin PM). Others, such as NyQuil, combine antihistamines with alcohol.

Side effects of OTC sleep aids and sleeping pills
The antihistamines used in OTC sleep aids can produce common side effects, some of them severe. As with any medication, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking over-the-counter sleep aids. This is especially important if you have glaucoma, trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland, or a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Talk to your doctor if you're currently taking an antidepressant such as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or did so as recently as two weeks ago. Also check with your doctor first if you take any other drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease. Women who breast-feed should avoid OTC sleep aids. http://helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication_insomnia_treatment.htm