OTC sleeping med other than benadryl, valerian r., Doxylamine - Sleep Disorders Message Board

earthdayapril22 · 12-11-2007, 09:10 AM

I have tried diphenhydramine hydrochloride(benadryl), Doxylamine(unisom), valerian root and I would like to try another one, benadryl gives me rapid hearbeat and fatigue in the middle of the night(and can't sleep because of that). I would like to know if there's another OTC sleeping med which doesn't cause rapid heartbeat and helps also with anxiety(the reason for occasional insomnia)

thanks

mkgbrook · 12-11-2007, 09:59 AM

I can only recommend two other things. Chamomile tea and melatonin. Both are natural and should have no effect on your heart rate what so ever.. Use these in conjunction with good sleep hygiene and it should offer some relief.

Benadryl made your heart race? Was it just plain Benedryl or a benedryl D. I haven't heard of that side effect of Benedryl.. it is an antihistamine not a stimulant.. you have me curious.. I need to dig in my pharmacological database. Here we go.... less frequent or rare side effects with azatadine, cetirizine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, dexchlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, or loratadine

Fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; abdominal or stomach pain; burning; chills; clay-colored stools or dark urine; cough; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; fever; headache; hives; itching; prickly sensations; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue; redness of skin; seizures; shortness of breath; skin rash; swelling; tightness in chest; tingling; unusual tiredness or weakness; wheezing

There you go. Not common, but it does happen. Now I know. Thanks for that tidbit.

MG

Ginger9909 · 12-14-2007, 03:36 PM

Benadryl never makes my heart race. It does give me a nice sleep even if i take just one lately. Most of the time if i do get up in the middle of the night it will also allow me to go right back to sleep.