The first of many common OTC drug groups are the sleeping aids. Many college students are fans of Nyquil to get them to finally fall asleep after a three day study binge on energy drinks and coffee. As a nurse, it might be helpful to consider that your patients, such as the stressed businessman may also be using this non-prescription sleeping aid.
Due to hard economic times, familial problems, and other various issues, more and more people are turning to over-the-counter sleeping aids to help them get some shut eye.
The main ingredient in OTC sleeping aids is antihistamine. Histamine is usually released in situations that require one to be attentive and ready to act. Antihistamine therefore does just the opposite, it makes one sleepy and less alert. Antihistamines block histamine and the alertness and allergic inflammations that histamine causes. Some sleep aids that utilize antihistamine include diphenhydramine and doxylamine. Some commonly recognized brand names of diphenhydramines are Sominex, Nytol, Tylenol PM, Benadryl, and Compoz.
Brand names of some doxylamines include Unisom and Nighttime Sleep Aid.
Another ingredient that is sometimes used in sleeping aids is melatonin, which is said to regulate our Circadian rhythms which helps let our bodies know when to sleep and when to wake up.
As with many OTC drugs, it is not uncommon to see misuse with sleeping aids. The most common problem occurs in those who have insomnia. These people try to self-medicate rather than going to see a doctor about their problem. OTC sleeping aids target short-term sleeping problems, and don't focus on insomnia. People who buy over the counter sleeping aids often end up developing a tolerance for them. They end up taking more than the directions suggest and end up with problems such as extreme drowsiness, dizziness, decreased mental awareness, and lack of coordination. These side effects can pose major problems if the person has to drive, operate machinery, or perform another dangerous task the next day.
Other problems relating to misuse are drug dependence (person can not sleep without taking the drug) and rebound sleep problems (persons problems become more intense after stopping taking the drug).
Another problem with misuse is when people taking their sleeping medication and do not give it enough time to work. They often will consume another dose before the first has had time to take effect. This is dangerous and can pose many side effects, including depression of the medulla-center of the brain that controls many vital body functions such as control over respiratory rate.
Due to hard economic times, familial problems, and other various issues, more and more people are turning to over-the-counter sleeping aids to help them get some shut eye.
The main ingredient in OTC sleeping aids is antihistamine. Histamine is usually released in situations that require one to be attentive and ready to act. Antihistamine therefore does just the opposite, it makes one sleepy and less alert. Antihistamines block histamine and the alertness and allergic inflammations that histamine causes. Some sleep aids that utilize antihistamine include diphenhydramine and doxylamine. Some commonly recognized brand names of diphenhydramines are Sominex, Nytol, Tylenol PM, Benadryl, and Compoz.
Brand names of some doxylamines include Unisom and Nighttime Sleep Aid.
Another ingredient that is sometimes used in sleeping aids is melatonin, which is said to regulate our Circadian rhythms which helps let our bodies know when to sleep and when to wake up.
As with many OTC drugs, it is not uncommon to see misuse with sleeping aids. The most common problem occurs in those who have insomnia. These people try to self-medicate rather than going to see a doctor about their problem. OTC sleeping aids target short-term sleeping problems, and don't focus on insomnia. People who buy over the counter sleeping aids often end up developing a tolerance for them. They end up taking more than the directions suggest and end up with problems such as extreme drowsiness, dizziness, decreased mental awareness, and lack of coordination. These side effects can pose major problems if the person has to drive, operate machinery, or perform another dangerous task the next day.
Other problems relating to misuse are drug dependence (person can not sleep without taking the drug) and rebound sleep problems (persons problems become more intense after stopping taking the drug).
Another problem with misuse is when people taking their sleeping medication and do not give it enough time to work. They often will consume another dose before the first has had time to take effect. This is dangerous and can pose many side effects, including depression of the medulla-center of the brain that controls many vital body functions such as control over respiratory rate.
Take home points for the public:
- Never take more than the recommended dose of an OTC sleeping medication
- Do not take a second dose if the effects of the first dose take too long to kick in
- Do not mix alcohol with sleeping aids
- Do not use a sleeping medication as a fix for insomnia
Take home points for nurses:
- Look for signs that your patient might be sleep deprived, then question if they have recently been using an over the counter sleep medicaiton
- Check for signs of otc sleeping aid use: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, constipation, feeling "groggy" or "hung over"
- Teach patients to never mix alcohol with sleeping aids, and warn them that it may cause respiratory depression
Are you guilty of using of second dosing on a sleeping aid because you are impatient about its effects?
Sources: http://drugs.about.com/od/overthecounterdrug/a/OTC_sleep_aids.htm, http://helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication_insomnia_treatment.htm, http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Do_OTC_Sleep_aids_work.html, http://www.nytol.com Picture source: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/hsc1405l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/h/hibernated.asp&usg=__HDxDXpxDzt2OJ_TSbDFv2gHbhxc=&h=320&w=400&sz=33&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=EiLbXQyNlm1SnM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcartoon%2Bsleep%2Bmedication%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7DKUS_en%26um%3D1
I have always been a very strong believer that everyone should be able to go to the doctor for their problems. But here in America, due to not everyone being able to see a doctor because of not having insurance, that may not be possible.
ReplyDeleteIf people are not able to find a solution from their doctor, then they will try to solve the problem on their own, which of course, usually doesn't turn out too well.
I don't know if you were aware of the young high school girl who died because her coach advised her to rub icy hot all over her body before and after practice. She died from massive vasodialation and overdose, from an over the counter cream. The FDA regulates these drugs for a reason, they aren't fool proof.
ReplyDeleteI find this article very informative. Many consumers make the mistake of trying to "fix it yourself", but actually cause more damage. Blogs and artilces like this need to be publicized more so people can become more educated. OTC drugs are nothing to take lightly.
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