Following healthy sleep habits (also known as good “sleep hygiene”) is one of the most effective ways you can help set yourself up for a good night’s rest. But sometimes, even if your sleep hygiene is squeaky clean, you may still end up tossing and turning all night. If this situation sounds familiar, there are plenty of other options available to help you get the restful, rejuvenating sleep your body needs—such as over-the-counter (OTC) medicinal sleep-aids and sleep supplements.
You may be wondering if a sleep-aid is actually the right choice to help you relieve your occasional sleep troubles. With countless options lining the shelves of local pharmacies, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the best sleep support product for you. When it comes to Unisom®, you can rest assured that our sleep remedies are non-habit forming and designed to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed, when used as directed.
Read on to learn how to choose from our range of sleep-aids and 100% drug-free supplement to find the right Unisom product for you.
What Are Sleep-Aids?
It’s hard to fall asleep and stay soundly snoozing, now more than ever. Fortunately, over-the-counter sleep-aids can help offer a bit of extra help.
Sleep-promoting products are usually broken up into two categories: non-prescription medicinal sleep-aids and dietary supplements. OTC medicinal sleep-aids help you get the Zzzs you need by promoting drowsinesss. They do this by using active ingredients like histamine blockers, including doxylamine succinate and diphenhydramine, which work by blocking the effects of a naturally-occurring neurotransmitter known as histamine that can keep you alert and awake.
In lieu of histamine blockers, dietary supplements for sleep help you drift off to dreamland naturally. They often use ingredients like melatonin, which works with your body’s natural sleep cycle to signal when it’s time to wind down for bed.
Which Ingredients Are Found in Unisom?
In order to stop that tossing and turning and help you choose the right Unisom sleep solution, here’s a closer look at some of the most commonly used ingredients in our natural sleep supplement and medicinal sleep-aids.
Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine is a histamine blocker commonly used in sleep-aids.This snooze-inducing ingredient can create a sedating effect, and therefore, may help you fall asleep faster and get the rest you need.
Doxylamine succinate
Doxylamine succinate comes from the same family of histamine blockers as diphenhydramine, and produces a similar drowsy effect. Also very popular in over-the-counter sleep-aids, this ingredient can help you fall asleep and stay soundly asleep.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in your body that’s produced in response to darkness. It helps signal when it’s time to wind down at night by regulating your sleep-wake cycle (also known as your internal clock, or circadian rhythm). Melatonin is often used by travelers with jet lag to help get their sleep cycles back on track, as well as by those with occasional sleeplessness who need a bit of extra help dozing off at night.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm is a calming herb that belongs to the mint family. Its uses for promoting sleep, relaxation, and stress relief can be traced back as far as the Middle Ages. This time-tested relaxing herb is commonly combined with other calming herbs.
Passion flower
Passion flower is a soothing herb was traditionally used in the Americas, as well as later in Europe, for occasional sleeplessness and anxiety. According to some scientists, passionflower likely works by increasing gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain, a chemical that may make you feel more relaxed.1
What Are the Different Types of Unisom Sleep Products?
As the #1 doctor- and pharmacist-recommended sleep-aid brand, Unisom is all about helping you get a better night's sleep. For over 40 years, we have been focused on creating products that promote a better quality of sleep, with a range of sleep-aids that feature different formulas, ingredients, and flavors.
Unisom products are available in several forms, including soft gels, mini capsules, and even drug-free chewable gummies. Keep scrolling to discover our range of sleep-supporting products, as well as how to best utilize each.
Drug-free dietary supplements
Unisom Simple Slumbers® is our 100%-drug-free solution. These chewable gummies feature melatonin, which works with your body to help maintain its natural sleep cycle, as well as passionflower, lemonbalm, and vitamin B6.† Simple Slumbers® is available in two flavors—Midnight Raspberry and Golden Honey Lemon—and is formulated to help you fall asleep gently and wake up refreshed.†
Medicinal sleep-aids
Unisom® SleepGels®, SleepMelts®, SleepMinis®, and PM Pain all contain the histamine blocker diphenhydramine HCl. Blocking histamine production can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. PM Pain also contains the pain reliever acetaminophen, which helps relieve minor aches and pains that may keep you awake.
Unisom® SleepTabs® contain doxylamine succinate, which is a clinical-strength histamine blocker that works in a similar fashion to diphenhydramine. Unisom® SleepTabs® can help you fall asleep 33% faster and get a full night's sleep.
Do Unisom Products Help With Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep?
Our OTC medicinal sleep-aids and drug-free supplement are formulated to help you fall asleep and get the rest you need. When taken correctly, per the instructions on each product label, Unisom products can help you both fall asleep faster and reduce waking up in the middle of the night. However, our products are meant to be taken on a temporary basis only. If you’re experiencing persistent difficulties falling or staying asleep, it’s important to consult with your doctor or a qualified sleep professional for the best personalized health advice.
Which Unisom Product Is Best for Sleep?
Unisom products are all expertly formulated to help you fall asleep faster and get a full night’s sleep, so that you can wake up feeling refreshed. The specific product you should choose will come down to your personal preferences and needs.
If you prefer sleep supplements, such as melatonin, you might want to give Unisom Simple Slumbers® a try. Or if you struggle with sleeplessness due to discomfort, our PM Pain may be an excellent option for your needs. This product also features acetaminophen—a pain reliever which helps relieve minor aches and pains that can keep you awake.
Unisom’s non-habit-forming medicinal melts, gels, minis, and tablets are great options for those who need a bit of extra help at bedtime. To learn more about the differences between each of these products, visit our Unisom Products page.
Can I Take Unisom Products Every Night?
Our medicinal sleep-aids and drug-free supplement are non-habit-forming and safe when used as directed. All Unisom products are designed to be taken only as directed for relief of occasional sleeplessness. If your sleep troubles persist for longer than two weeks, it’s best to stop taking OTC sleep-aids and visit your doctor or a healthcare professional, since insomnia can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical issue.
Do Unisom Products Have Any Side Effects?
Unisom products may cause you to experience drowsiness, which allows you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep. For this reason, it’s important to only use our products at bedtime and to avoid consuming them with alcohol or while operating machinery or driving a vehicle. Always read the drug facts on the product packaging carefully for a complete list of potential side effects, and discontinue use if you experience any unwanted effects from them.
Can I Take Unisom Products While Pregnant?
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, it’s recommended to speak with a healthcare professional before using Unisom sleep products.
Rest Assured
Not getting enough rest can be rough: You can’t focus. You’re foggy. Even irritable at times. Fortunately, there are many ways to brush up on your sleep hygiene and help your body transition smoothly into slumber. With Unisom, there’s always a range of options to offer an extra hand when you need it.
Still not sure which Unisom option is right for you? Answer a few questions to discover which Unisom sleep solution will work best to help you fall asleep fast, or download the Unisom Sleep Diary.
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† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Unisom is only intended to help with occasional sleeplessness. If you are suffering from ongoing sleep concerns, seek the help of a medical professional.
Professional References
1. Mount Sinai. “Passionflower.” Mount Sinai Health System, 2022.
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†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.