Important precautions

When using nonprescription sleep aids, follow these steps:

• Start with your health care provider. Ask your health care provider if the sleep aid might interact with other medications 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 problems, including closed-angle glaucoma, peptic ulcer and urinary retention. In addition, sleep aids pose risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and might pose risks for people over age 65, including an increased risk of dementia.
• Take it one day at a time. Nonprescription sleep aids 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 medication.
• 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 health care provider. In addition to lifestyle changes, your provider might recommend behavior therapy. This type of therapy may help you learn new sleep habits and ways to make your sleeping environment more conducive to sleep. In some cases, short-term use of prescription sleep aids might be recommended as well.