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Over the counter sleeping tablets that actually work…do they exist??

44 replies

Redskyatnight01 · 04/12/2015 09:00

As title. I’ve been having restless sleep the last few weeks and am feeling and looking really tired.

In the past I have tried herbal products but they don’t really seem to do anything?

The only thing I’ve found to work is the liquid night nurse, I have the flu at the moment so the last couple of nights I’ve taken this before bed and it’s worked a treat- knocked me right out!

Can anyone recommend anything or is it a case of prescription only?

OP posts:
Sweetsweetjane · 04/12/2015 23:18

Kirkland allergy tablets, cheap and loads in a bottle. Discovered the ingredient when taking French travel sickness, as a previous poster said, diphenhydramine. Works wonders, apparently non addictive and I haven't suffered hay fever since I started using them. I normally get dreadful hay fever.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 04/12/2015 23:22

Phenergen for me. I get it on prescription but have bought OTC also

AlwaysBeYourself · 05/12/2015 01:53

I use doxylamine which was the relaxing antihistamine used in the old style of Syndol.

AesopsMables · 05/12/2015 08:01

Melatonin is my preferred choice when cannot sleep. It gently works so you nod off about 45mins after taking it and feel refreshed and not groggy when you wake up.

I also heard somewhere that it is good for anti-ageing too!? However, I only use it occasionally.

Rhom810 · 05/12/2015 13:36

I have used Melatonin for years and love it as there is no drowsiness the next morning. It's not available in the UK but it's really easy to find online.

Celen · 05/12/2015 13:39

Sominex (the non herbal variety) works for me or Sainsburys own sleeping tablets (ask at the pharmacy counter) Smile

lorelei9 · 06/12/2015 12:00

Kirkland doxylamine succinate
I usually take half though

allthegoodnamesalreadytaken · 06/12/2015 12:30

Sleepeaze from boots or sleep aid from Asda (pharmacy) basically anything with more than 25m of diphenhydramine

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 06/12/2015 12:43

Kirkland sleep aid tablets are the only thing that works for me.

Bluecheese22 · 06/12/2015 15:36

Sominax & quiet life are both herbal ones that work really well for us

PunkrockerGirl · 06/12/2015 15:41

Ime only prescription sleeping tablets work.
But we're all different and otc stuff is certainly worth a try.

velourvoyageur · 06/12/2015 21:52

This is the best sleep tea I've come across.

Paperblank · 06/12/2015 21:58

Lavender oil often works for me, especially in an oil burner or massaged in using a carrier oil. That and a cup of chamomile tea and I'm off.

However tonight I've taken 2 coedine phosphate tablets for sciatica - I'll be out for the count in 10 minutes. Obvs I am not recommending you do this!!

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 06/12/2015 22:01

I take an anti-histamine called Phenergan for nausea for my migraines and it has a real sedative affect.

Best to fix the sleep hygiene surrounding your sleep than become reliant on anything though.

stubbornstains · 06/12/2015 22:12

Sainsbury's herbal sleep aid tablets are the cheapest. (Most herbal tablets contain a combination of valerian, hops, passiflora, gentian etc- I find they're all much of a muchness.)

hollinhurst84 · 06/12/2015 22:25

Phenergen for me as well

SoftBlocks · 06/12/2015 22:27

Dr Stuarts Valerian plus tea has worked for me.

TattyDevine · 06/12/2015 22:56

Nytol non drowsy I think is diphenhydramine which is what was in Medised before they made it impossible to buy Grin

There is something called Sominex which is reasonable as well

They will all stop working or be less effective so you can't rely on them every night but they give you that window of drowsiness that should help you drift off on days you want a really good sleep

Booze is great but you can wake up sweltering and parched which defeats the purpose Grin if you have a skinful anyway

I sleep really well as I use an eye mask and earplugs and the sensory deprivation tends to lend itself to dropping off and staying asleep, though not everyone likes the sensation and some find it claustrophobic...

Twgtwf · 06/12/2015 23:16

Marking place...melatonin does work for me.

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