Pharmacist's Verdict
Unisom SleepTabs are an effective over-the-counter sleep aid for adults experiencing occasional trouble falling asleep, though users should be aware of potential next-day drowsiness.
Ingredient Analysis
Doxylamine succinate
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Effectively helps most adults fall asleep and stay asleep for short-term use.
- Non-habit forming, unlike some prescription sleep medications.
- Widely available and affordable without a prescription.
- Works relatively quickly after taking a dose.
Cons
- Can cause significant next-day drowsiness or a 'hangover' effect, impairing driving or operating machinery.
- May lead to side effects like dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, or trouble urinating.
- Interacts dangerously with alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness, like certain cold medicines or antidepressants.
- Not suitable for long-term use and should not be used in children under 12 years of age.
- Should be used with caution, or avoided, in people with glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or certain breathing problems like emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
Safety Information
Warnings
Warnings S ee carton fo r complete warnings Do not use ■ in children under 12 years of age ■ with any other product containing doxylamine ■ unless you have time for a full night’s sleep Ask a doctor before use if you have ■ a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis ■ glaucoma ■ trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking ■ sedatives or any other sleep-aid ■ tranquilizers ■ any other antihistamines ■ any other drugs When using this product ■ avoid alcoholic beverages ■ do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery ■ take only at bedtime Stop use and ask a doctor if ■ sleeplessness persists continuously for more than two weeks. Insomnia may be a symptom of serious underlying medical illness. If pregnant or …
Is Unisom SleepTabs safe for you?
See pregnancy, interactions, and common concerns answered in our pharmacist safety FAQ.
Read safety review →References
- 1.FDA Drug Label — Sleep Aid
FDA DailyMed: Sleep Aid · FDA
- 2.FDA Drug Label — Unisom SleepTabs
FDA DailyMed: Unisom SleepTabs · FDA
- 3.Doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine hydrochloride (Diclegis) for the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: an overview.
Nuangchamnong N, Niebyl J, International journal of women's health, 2014 · PubMed
- 4.Treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a systematic review and economic assessment.
O'Donnell A, McParlin C, Robson SC, et al., Health technology assessment (Winchester, England), 2016 · PubMed
- 5.Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a review of the pathology and compounding opportunities.
Zur E, International journal of pharmaceutical compounding, 2013 · PubMed
- 6.Safety assessment of OTC drugs: doxylamine succinate.
Skare JA, Murphy VA, Bookstaff RC, et al., Archives of toxicology. Supplement. = Archiv fur Toxikologie. Supplement, 1995 · PubMed