AboutDr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi Expertise I can provide information on drugs and medicines, their actions, uses, interactions and adverse effects. To avoid confusion, generic names of
medicines may please be provided. I am a pharmacologist, having worked
on animal and human pharmacology, and presently I am the Dean of Bilcare Research Academy, where we teach courses on clinical research. We dont work on saturdays and sundays, hence questions reachng me on these days will be replied on Monday, please bear with me.
Question QUESTION: Hi Dr.Bhaskar- I have a new job which requires me to wake up at 5:30 AM. In order to help me sleep early and not toss & turn, I have been taking a dose of Nyquil. Is it okay to use this 1-2 days a week to help me sleep better on work nights? Or would just an antihistamine like "diphenhydramine hydrochloride" 25 mg., be better? (I'm reading that from the box of generic allergy pills). I heard that taking aceteminophen can cause liver damage. Aside from help to sleep 1-2 nights a week, I hardly EVER take anything at all for pain or else wise. Thanks in advance for your kind time and any help/advice you can offer. To cut costs- I use over the counter generic brands of stuff- FYI. Have a great weekend!
ANSWER: HI Susie,
Nyquil will produce sleep but you may need more and more of it with time. Plain Diphenhydramime would be better, but if you plan to use it for a long period then even that is not the best drug. If you plan to use it for a short period, I would ok diphenhydrammine. For longer periods I would suggest a drug lke alprazolam, but remember with it you will test positive for benzos if they do the testing. Over the counter purchase is good unless you can get a generic cheaply say from countries like mine.
Thanks for the good wishes, I did have a good weekend.
Ravi Ghooi
FYI In India, at least my part the middle name is that of the father. Bhaskar was my father (bless him, he is no longer with us), I am plain Ravindra Ghooi or Ravi for short.
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QUESTION: I appreciate your kind help, Ravi. What is the main active ingredient in alprazolam, that I should look for? Is it something I should be able to find in a generic over the counter med? Also, what is "benzos"? Thanks again!
Answer Hi Susie,
Benzos is short form of benzodiazepines, this is a group of scheduled drugs in US (I guess you are from US). am not sure whether they are available easily in your country, since each country has different rules and am based n ndia, though I do visit US regularly, I do not know the rules of US very well. The active ingredient in Alprazolam is alprazolam (ths s the name of the drug) it is sold under different brand names like Alplax; Alprazolam; Alpronax; Alviz; Bestrol; Cassadan; Constan; D 65MT; Esparon; Frontal; Intensol; Niravam; Restyl; Solanax; Tafil; Tranax; Trankimazin; Tranquinal; TUS-1; Xanax; Xanax XR; Xanor) I would apprecate if yo let me know where you live (country) then I might be able to give you specifc advice.
Ravi
