Important precautions

When using sleep aids you can buy without a prescription, follow these steps:

• Start with your healthcare team. Ask your healthcare professional if the sleep aid might interact with other medicines or underlying conditions. Also ask what dosage to take.
• Keep precautions in mind. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine aren't recommended for people who have certain health conditions. These include closed-angle glaucoma, peptic ulcer and urinary retention. In addition, sleep aids pose risks for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and they might pose risks for people over age 65, including an increased risk of dementia.
• Take it one day at a time. Sleep aids you can get without a prescription might be a temporary solution for sleep problems. However, they're not intended for long-term use.
• Avoid alcohol. Never mix alcohol and sleep aids. Alcohol can increase the sedative effects of the medicine.
• Beware of side effects. Don't drive or attempt other activities that require alertness while taking sleep aids.

Everyone benefits from a good night's sleep. If you continue to have trouble sleeping, talk to your healthcare team. In addition to lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy may be recommended. It can help you build better sleep habits and make your bedroom more comfortable for sleeping. In some cases, short-term use of prescription sleep aids might be recommended as well.