AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Question Hi Mary- 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!
I would just use generic diphenhydramine 25mg (1 capsule). It's a lot cheaper than Nyquil and if you don't need the added ingredients,why take them?.It's pretty safe if you only take it once or twice a week. I don't recommend diphenhydramine at all in persons over 65 yrs of age because it tends to accumulate in the body in older people,causing daytime drowsiness,confusion,and increases the risk of falls.
If you find that your concentration is not as good the next day, you might want to re-think about using it. Hope this helps, and sleep tight! Mary
