Over-the-Counter Sleep Aid Medications and Insomnia

Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep and/or nonrestorative sleep which impairs daytime function. Self treatment with over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids, herbal and dietary supplements, and/or alcohol is common. Problems associated with insomnia self treatment are ineffectiveness, tolerance, dependency, and potentially harmful side effects. Studies of OTC sleep aids and other non-prescription sleep aids such as antihistamines, valerian, melatonin, and L-tryptophan have inconsistent results and lack objective data on both their efficacy and safety. Lastly, alcohol should never be used as a sleep aid due to its abuse liability.