The Best Over-the-Counter Sleeping Pills in the UK

Adults aged 18-64 are normally required to have 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. After 64 years of age, this is around 7-8 hours. According to Sleep Charity, 9 in 10 people in the UK are experiencing problems with sleeping with nearly 1 in 3 people in the UK having been diagnosed with insomnia (inability to sleep). Around 85% of the UK population is yet to be diagnosed with sleeping issues due to severe delays in diagnosis.

Therefore, sleeping disorders have been left untreated and unrecognised leading to devastating consequences. Furthermore, Women, people from ethnic minorities such as Black, Asian and others are more likely to experience a lower quality of sleep due to social inequality.

Regular sleep disturbances occur due to a multitude of reasons ranging from life events such as financial issues where nearly 25% of adults in the UK suffer from sleep disorders due to financial stress, anxious thoughts about sleep which make it harder to fall asleep, work related stressors, health issues, worries about the future and so on. Sleep disturbances also occur due to poor living conditions where nearly 1 in 3 people in the UK struggle to sleep well due to uncomfortable or polluted sleeping environments.

Poor sleeping disturbances occasionally can be managed; however, consistent poor quality sleep over time can lead to an array of health conditions, mental and physical. Lack of sleep can lead to problems with focus and decision making which can be hazardous when operating heavy machinery such as driving. It can also lower your mood and make it harder to regulate emotions. It can make you more prone to engaging in risky behaviours and overtime impact your relationships, health, work and social life.

There are many ways to combat sleeping problems. Many over-the-counter (OTC) pills are considered some of the strongest sleeping pills to help manage sleeplessness. However, it is generally advised to consult your doctor to check for underlying problems which could cause sleeping issues. Antihistamines are considered strong sleeping pills. You can buy medicated versions which contain the following drugs: Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25mg & 50mg, Doxylamine 25mg or Promethazine 25mg which are different classes of antihistamines.

Conversely, you can take a more natural route and choose herbal remedies such as Valerian root and Hops found in medications known as Kalms Night, Sominex Herbal, Nytol Herbal. Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is also a popular choice known to have relaxing properties to induce sleep. Head to Meds for Less to find out more about sleeping remedies.

What Are Over-the-Counter Sleeping Pills and How Do They Work?

Over the counter sleeping pills range from medicated versions such as Diphenhydramine hydrochloride  to herbal forms such as Valerian root. The following details the best over the counter sleeping pills uk and their method of action.

Antihistamines:

There are 3 main types of first-generation H1 receptor antihistamines that can be used as a sleep aid. These normally act on the Histamine receptors and block the activity of Histamine (needed for sleep arousal) so the body remains in the sleep cycle for longer. These are:

• Diphehydramine Hydrochloride 25mg & 50mg
• Doxylamine 25mg
• Promethazine Hydrochoride 25mg

Natural sleeping tablets:

• Valerian root – a flowering plant of which the roots are dried up and used for herbal treatments to treat conditions such as insomnia, anxiety regulation and so on.

• Hops – known as Humulus lupulus is a plant normally used in beer. However, it is also known to have sedative and relaxing properties especially when combined with Valerian root and is used as a sleep aid.

• Cannabidiol (CBD) oil – works to promote relaxation and calmness in the body hence improves quality of sleep

• Magnesium supplements – has mild sedative effects but mostly works to promote calmness and relaxation to improve quality of sleep.

Sleeping pills both natural and medicated, work in different ways in the body and are sometimes combined with other ingredients to enhance their effects such as Valerian root and Hops. The following table describes their mechanism of action:

Who Should Consider Using OTC Sleep Aids?

OTC sleep aids are a temporary solution to sleep problems. They should be used to manage short term difficulties with sleep. It should not be taken long term but instead patients are advised to consult healthcare professionals to find more effective ways of managing poor sleep which may be caused due to other underlying issues.

OTC sleep aids are appropriate for adults with the below conditions:

• Adults who travel occasionally or work night shifts and deal with jet lag and exhaustion hence need something to help temporarily manage their sleep schedules better.

• Adults who have tried various methods to fix their sleep schedules through limiting screen time before bed, following a consistent sleeping timetable, limiting caffeine or avoiding eating late at night before sleeping.
• Adults who are dealing with unforeseeable circumstances causing a great deal of stress and anxiety which is affecting quality of sleep.

Who should not use OTC sleep Aids:

• Children under 16 years of age
• Adults over the age of 65 – as taking night aids such as antihistamines can cause drowsiness even during the day which can lead to falls and or cognitive impairment issues and other side effects.
• Adults taking medications such as antidepressants, medications for Parkinson’s, drink alcohol, and so on
• Adults who have been dealing with sleeping problems for over several months and should instead be assessed by a healthcare professional for underlying issues.
• Adults with other underlying health conditions which may be exacerbated by OTC sleep aids such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, glaucoma and so on.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, consult with a doctor before use.
• If you have had allergic reactions to sleep aids in the past.

Strongest Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Available in the UK

Some of the strongest sleep aid over the counter can be found in most pharmacies or retail stores. These range from medication pills to herbal remedies. The most common Medication for Sleeplessness include the following ingredients: antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25mg & 50mg, Doxylamine 25mg and Promethazine 25mg. Herbal variants include Valerian root, Hops, CBD oil and so on although these tend to have a milder effect compared to the synthetic medications listed above.

Best Sleeping Pills Without a Prescription: Top Options

The following are considered some of the best sleeping pills which can be bought over-the-counter (OTC) and do not require a prescription. These are outlined below:

Synthetic sleep aid:

• Diphehydramine Hydrochloride 25mg & 50mg
• Doxylamine 25mg
• Promethazine Hydrochloride 25mg

Natural sleep aid:

• Valerian Root
• Hops
• Cannabidiol (CBD) oil
• Magnesium supplements such as Magnesium glycinate and Magnesium citrate

Natural and Herbal Sleep Aids That Actually Work

The following are natural and herbal sleep aids that are known to be helpful in managing short term insomnia and improving quality of sleep. The most common remedies are as follows:

• Valerian root – a flowering plant of which the roots are dried up and used for herbal treatments. This is useful for conditions such as insomnia, anxiety regulation and so on.

• Hops – is a plant known as Humulus lupulus normally used as an ingredient in beer. However, it is also known to have sedative and relaxing properties especially when combined with Valerian root and is used as a sleep aid.

• Cannabidiol (CBD) oil – works to promote relaxation and calmness in the body hence improves quality of sleep

• Magnesium supplements (Magnesium glycinate and Magnesium citrate) – have mild sedative effects but mostly work to promote calmness and relaxation and help improve quality of sleep.

What Are the Side Effects of Strong Sleeping Pills?

There are risks of side effects hence caution must be taken before taking sleep aids and seeing if they are suited for your needs. Most over the counter sleep aids contain the following ingredients:

• Diphehydramine Hydrochloride 25mg & 50mg
• Doxylamine 25mg
• Promethazine Hydrochloride 25mg
• Natural options such as: Valerian Root, Hops, Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, Magnesium supplements such as Magnesium glycinate and Magnesium citrate

The most common and serious side effects are listed below:

How to Use OTC Sleep Aids Safely and Effectively

Individuals are recommended to only take sleep aids for short term use. Chronic insomnia or sleeping problems should be brought to the attention of a healthcare professional to assess underlying causes.

OTC sleep aids can be beneficial to improve quality of sleep if used with caution and for short term. Avoid using the sleep aids for more than 7-10 consecutive nights. Find other ways to manage stress by practicing mindfulness, meditation and so on which in turn can improve your quality of sleep. Try to limit caffeine intake too close to sleeping as caffeine is a stimulant and will lower your chances of a good night’s sleep.

Choose the right type of sleep aid and the correct strength and do not exceed the maximum dose which is outlined in the patient information leaflet. For eg: Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride comes in 25mg and 50mg. Start with a 25mg dose at night and only increase to 50mg the next day if the lowest dose is not effective. Valerian root can take up to 2 weeks to show its full effect so keep this in mind before starting a stronger medication.

Can Strong Sleeping Pills Interact with Other Medications?

Strong sleeping pills can interact with other medications therefore individuals are advised to take caution and consult with a doctor before taking sleep aids if the below applies to you:

• Alcohol
• CNS antidepressants – SSRIs such as sertraline, fluoxetine, venlafaxine
• Parkinson medications such as Levadopa, Co-careldopa
• Warfarin – avoid using CBD oil
• Antibiotics – avoid taking magnesium supplements with tetracyclines and quinolones
• Opioid medication such as codeine, morphine

When to See a Doctor Instead of Self-Medicating

Over-the-Counter (OTC ) sleep aids can be used to manage insomnia or to regulate your sleep cycle but only for the short term.

Chronic insomnia lasting for more than a few months should be assessed by a healthcare professional especially if OTC treatment has not worked for you. Consultation with a healthcare professional will provide insight into any underlying conditions such as anxiety, depression and this can be managed with stronger medication and other lifestyle changes under the guidance of a professional.

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