Common Medical Myths - Busted!

Over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids may help you fall asleep occasionally, but there are a few things you may want to keep in mind. Most OTC sleep aids contain antihistamines. This can pose a few problems, especially if you are already taking an antihistamine for allergies. The duplicate therapy may cause more unwanted side effects. Taking OTC sleep aids for long periods of time can also lead to a tolerance of the sedative effects of antihistamines. This means that the more you take them, the less likely they are to make you sleepy. These sleep aids may also result in grogginess the next morning, which can be dangerous for some patients, especially the elderly. Antihistamines can cause dry mouth and eyes, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness and irritability. As with any other medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects and interactions with your other medications. If you’re still struggling to sleep, check out our slideshow on ways to fall asleep faster.