Taking Benedryl as a sleep aid?

Question

Hi.

I have difficulties falling asleep, so about once every 1-2 weeks, I take Benedryl so that I fall asleep faster.

Is this bad for me?

Answer 1

Benadryl is not for insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Drowsiness is a side effect of Benadryl, which causes sleepiness.  It's not bad, but it IS possible that your body will get used to Benadryl and cause it to be ineffective in the future.

Answer 2

There are people who take Benedryl several times a day every day for their allergies and they are still alive.  

Answer 3

You will get addicted. It happen to me. I just stayed awake for a couple weeks off & on, till I learned how to fall asleep on my own. Also avoid coffee & tea after lunch. Try to workout and tire yourself out before bed. Also avoid eating after 6pm. People claim that working out peps them up, not me, I get really tired at the end of the day & I sleep better.Good luck.

Answer 4

It is not good to use it for a sleeping aid. If you really need something, then go see your doctor or to a good clinic.

Answer 5

It's okay to use Benedryl 1X every 1or 2 weeks.  Remember, it is an antihistamine that will dry up your sinuses & your eyes & mouth.

To do it naturally:

Try creating a regular bedtime routine.

Don't exercise less than 3 hours before sleep.

Try to do calming things:  Take a bath, shower, read, listen to some softer music.

Have a small sandwich of lean protein & whole grain bread.  It should help to put you to sleep.

Don't stay on computer; Text;talk on the phone; watch TV.

Don't watch clock.

If you are thinking too much make a list of the things on your mind & put them in another room or in a drawer.

If you can't fall asleep after about 20 minutes, get out of bed & do something boring like reading, listen to instrumental music, etc. when you begin to feel tired go back to bed.  Repeat if necessary.

Slowly, you will train yourself to go to sleep faster.

It is normal to take about 15 minutes to fall asleep.

Good luck

Answer 6

Benadryl is really one of the safest sleeping aids you can take.  It's the ingredient in Tylenol PM and also Nytol, etc. Just take the recommended dosage on the label.  It is an antihistamine.  Of course, you should probably check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it doesn't interact with anything else you might be taking and don't take it with alcohol.