The Best Over the Counter Sleep Aids
Everybody needs sleep, but not everybody gets it. That’s just a fact of life. Fortunately, we no longer live in the dark ages and magical sleep aid pills are but a quick trip to the drugstore away. Sleep solutions are everywhere these days, but not all of them are considered equal. Different sleeping pills offer different experiences and not all of them will be right for you. So how do you determine which over the counter sleep aid will help you get the rest that you deserve? Simple, you keep reading this page. We’ve done the research and the legwork to uncover the best over the counter sleep aids on the market.
Not sleeping is never an option. But taking sleeping pills the minute you fail to fall asleep is also not the best option. Assuming you’ve tried everything, from reducing your daily caffeine intake to exercising on a regular basis to help you consume some of that leftover energy residue, sleep aids could help you fall asleep when everything else fails to help you. Even the most natural of sleep aids are best to be consumed on a short-term basis and typically with a doctor’s recommendation. So, what is the best sleep aid over the counter that you can buy? Take a look at our top recommendations below.
| Rank | Products | Highlights |
| #1 | 
Kirkland Signature Sleep Aid Doxylamine Succinate |
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| #2 | 
Best Naturals Melatonin |
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| #3 | 
LUNA Sleep Aid |
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| #4 | 
Vitafusion Extra Strength Melatonin Gummy Vitamins |
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| #5 | 
ValuMeds Nighttime Sleep Aid |
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| #6 | 
Sleep Aid with Valerian Root |
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| #7 | 
Relax Lavender + Chamomile Pillow Spray |
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Table Of Contents
- Best Over the Counter Sleep Aids
- 1. Kirkland Signature Sleep Aid Doxylamine Succinate
- 2. Best Naturals Melatonin
- 3. LUNA Sleep Aid
- 4. Vitafusion Extra Strength Melatonin Gummy Vitamins
- 5. ValuMeds Nighttime Sleep Aid
- 6. Sleep Aid with Valerian Root
- 7. Relax Lavender + Chamomile Pillow Spray
- Why Do I Struggle to Sleep?
- Do You Need a Sleep Aid?
- Taking Sleeping Pills
- Types of Sleep Aids
- Prescribed
- Natural
- Over the Counter
- Understanding Your OTC Options
- Conclusion
Best Over the Counter Sleep Aids
1. Kirkland Signature Sleep Aid Doxylamine Succinate
OVERVIEW
- Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x 3 inches
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
- Quantity: Bottle with 96 tablets
If you’re looking for a solid antihistamine sleep aid. Kirkland is definitely the ace of your sleeve. Doxylamine Succinate is the active ingredient of this sleep aid, which acts as a strong sedative, helping you doze off in little to no time. Of course, because of this strong effect, it’s recommended not to use before any activities that require attention and focus, as you will start to feel drowsy. Also, since this medication is powerful, you shouldn’t take it if you go to bed very late and have to wake up early in the morning.
The manufacturer has failed to specify a specific number of hours when the medicine is effective, which makes sense considering that every metabolism will assimilate it differently. Whenever you purchase sleep aids that don’t specify an average time of effect, it’s best to assume that it takes about eight hours for the effect to run off. Sleeping less than eight hours doesn’t guarantee that you’ll wake up feeling excessively sleepy, so always keep that in mind. Doxylamine is an active ingredient that doesn’t cause any dependency, which makes it safer to use compared to other types of sleeping pills. Due to its effectiveness, there’s rarely any need to administer a higher dose than the one recommended.
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2. Best Naturals Melatonin
OVERVIEW
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 2.89 ounces
- Quantity: Bottle with 120 tablets (10 mg)
Although melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, there are also melatonin supplements that people can buy and take when they want to induce sleep. The pineal gland is located above the middle of the brain and it’s about the size of a pea. This hormone acts as our body’s natural alarm clock, telling us when to go to bed and when to wake up. This is why our body secrets more melatonin during the night and drops considerably as morning hours approach.
How much melatonin the pineal gland secrets is a consequence of your daily exposure to light and your body’s natural rhythm. As for melatonin supplements, they can be purchased in the form of liquid, pills or chewables. They are available either in natural or synthetic form, the former being made from animal’s pineal glands.
Melatonin natural sleep aids have been known to help with insomnia for quite some time now. They are very common amongst people who have to adjust to new sleeping schedules because of their working hours, but also for people who suffer from jet-lag. It’s a well-known fact that each human’s body will react differently to the same type of supplements, which means that melatonin might not be effective for every individual. If you suffer from insomnia, it’s best to take a melatonin supplement about half an hour or one hour before going to bed.
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3. LUNA Sleep Aid
OVERVIEW
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 4.2 inches
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
- Quantity: Bottle with 60 capsules
LUNA is one of the bestselling sleeping aids we’ve had to pleasure of stumbling upon. That’s because it has a very interesting combination of no less than nine active ingredients, as follows: Gaba – 100 mg, hops extract – 100 mg, lemon balm extract – 100 mg, passionflower extract – 100 mg, chamomile extract – 150 mg, valerian extract – 150 mg, L-Theanine – 200 mg, magnesium – 10 mg and melatonin – 6 mg. This is definitely one of the most intense combinations of all the best natural sleeping aids we’ve seen so far. But we’re all these sleeping aids really necessary?
It depends on how you examine the situation. Each of these fulfills a rather different role in helping you fall asleep. Melatonin supplements the low levels of this hormone inside your body. GABA is one of your body’s neurotransmitters. L-Theanine is an amino acid that’s commonly found in green tea. All of the ingredients put together to play a small part in helping reduce the state of anxiety, preparing your body for sleep and relaxing the muscles so you get into the snooze mood. Manufacturer’s claim that the use of every ingredient is backed up by science, but whether you choose to believe that claim is entirely up to you. It’s true that there are numerous studies that link ingredients like melatonin and chamomile to the induction of a sleepy state, but there is a lack of conclusive evidence.
Even so, there are thousands and thousands of customers all across the USA that claim LUNA is one of the best natural sleep aids currently available on the market. Because of its composition, this sleeping aid will avoid morning grogginess and the chances of any severe side effect are significantly reduced compared to other types of sleeping pills, especially if you stick to the recommended dosage.
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4. Vitafusion Extra Strength Melatonin Gummy Vitamins
OVERVIEW
- Dimensions: 5.2 x 2.9 x 2.9 inches
- Weight: 11 ounces
- Quantity: Bottle with 120 gummy vitamins
If the Vitafusion gummy vitamins don’t put you to sleep, you’ll at least have something tasty to chew on. Their natural blackberry flavor will at least keep your taste buds satisfied in case the active ingredients don’t deliver as expected. What makes the Vitafusion gummies so popular, you ask? First off, they contain a bunch of vitamins, which are never a bad thing for your body’s strength and overall health. These sleep aid gummies contain vitamins that range from A, C, D, and E, acting as both supplements and antioxidants. Because of their fruity flavor, they are also a pleasure to take, preventing that nasty medication-like taste.
An interesting fact that stands behind the quality of the product is that fact that the product won the 2018 Chef’s Best Excellence Award, as it combines some high-quality ingredients. It doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, gluten or synthetic dyes. Taking these gummies won’t exactly knock you out, so they might not be the best choice for people suffering from severe insomnia. They are, however, an excellent choice for people looking for a short-term sleeping aid. So, if you’re suffering from jet lag or having a stressful period at work or in your personal life, one that’s preventing you from being relaxed enough to sleep, these delicious gummy treats will surely put you in the right mood.
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5. ValuMeds Nighttime Sleep Aid
OVERVIEW
- Dimensions: N/A
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Quantity: Two bottles with 96 softgels each
The active ingredient in these ValuMeds sleep aids is diphenhydramine. This is an antihistamine which is mainly used to treat allergies but also works for insomnia, nausea, or common Parkinson disease tremors. The pills themselves are made to be easy to swallow, because of the smooth gel cover that basically allows the pill to slide down your throat with little to no effort. Due to its compositions, this sleep aid can also help people who have restless leg syndrome and feel the need to move their legs frequently when lying in bed.
However, there is the risk of side effect to this form of medication, since it doesn’t involve as many natural ingredients as some of the other over the counter options we’ve reviewed in this roundup. Diphenhydramine should never be combined with alcoholic beverages and the potential drowsiness and nausea indicate that no heavy vehicles should be operated while under the influence of this sleeping aid.
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6. Sleep Aid with Valerian Root
OVERVIEW
- Dimensions: 2.2 x 2.2 x 3.8 inches
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
- Quantity: Bottle with 60 veggie capsules
If it’s veggie capsules you’re more interested in, here’s an option that might suit you. Based on Suntheanine, an amino acid that’s typically found in green tea and used to treat high blood pressure and anxiety, this particular sleep aids promotes the idea that in order for us to fall asleep faster, we need to wind down and help the body relax. Aside from Suntheanine, this sleep aid contains valerian root, which has been around for centuries and used in traditional medicine practices, melatonin – which is a natural substance produced by our bodies that help regulate our sleep-wake cycle, and even chamomile – a root that’s been consumed in the form of the tea for generations, to promote a state of calm and relaxation. The combination also contains Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, which the active form of the vitamin B6.
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7. Relax Lavender + Chamomile Pillow Spray
OVERVIEW
- Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.8 x 5.5 inches
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Quantity: 4 oz spray bottle
By trying some aromatherapy with lavender before bedtime, you can induce a tranquil effect that will help you fall asleep faster. The explanation is simple: when your brain senses a certain smell, it sends signals to your heart to help decrease blood pressure, inducing a state of relaxation. You can simply add a few sprays of this lavender oil on your pillow, or purchase an aromatherapy diffuser that converts the oil into a fine mist which is released in your bedroom.
Alternatively, you can opt for lavender lotions or you can apply essential lavender oils in your hand. With just two or three drops of these oils, gently rub your palms together and then sniff them. You can also add a drop of oil on your temples or your wrists. Some people like to add lavender oil into a full bathtub and enjoy the scent before going to bed.
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Why Do I Struggle to Sleep?
With 1 in 3 adults struggling to get enough sleep each night, and 164 million Americans reporting problems with falling asleep or staying asleep, it is no wonder that sleep aids are part of a booming industry. Sometimes the solution to your sleep problems are as simple as purchasing a new mattress or new pillows for better spinal alignment and comfort.
Changes in diet and an awareness of your daily routine can also be helpful. But when even these don’t work, you may need to consider something to help ease you into sleep each night to reset your sleep schedule and let you get the rest you deserve. Some of the problems people struggle with are outside their control and disrupt their sleep on a consistent basis. Some of the issues that may cause short term or even chronic sleep disruptions include circadian rhythm disorders, chronic pain and/or injury, restless leg syndrome, snoring, sleep apnea and even pregnancy.
Do You Need a Sleep Aid?
- All over Canada and the States, people who suffer from insomnia often turn to sleep aid to help them get a decent night rest. However, sleep aid should always be the doctor’s initiative if it’s medication we’re talking about. In order to determine if you need a sleep aid, consider the following:
- Does insomnia get in the way of performing your daily activities? Sometimes, a simple change in one’s routine, like thirty minutes of exercise is each is just what you need to get a good night’s rest.
- Most of the time, insomnia is just a short-term problem, in which case sleep aid may be of good help. Sometimes, insomnia can be a cause of things like jet-lag, a change in your working schedule, pregnancy (and therefore taking care of a newborn) or some other event that just takes time getting used to.
- If that’s not the case, try to determine if your insomnia could have a deeper, psychological explanation. Sleep aids are not a replacement for good and healthy sleeping practices. If your insomnia isn’t a short-term one, you will have to use non-medical approaches.
Taking Sleeping Pills
There is a lot of debate on whether there’s a right time to start taking sleeping pills, and if their effectiveness is really worth exposing yourself to the potential risks. Sleeping pills are often the easiest go-to solution when people are deprived of their rest. However, if people are having a hard time sleeping on a regular basis, this is a red flag that won’t and should not be solved by turning to long-term medication.
First off, sleeping pills should never be taken without a prior medical consult. Sometimes, a doctor can suggest more natural alternatives to taking these pills. What you may need is a sleeping device, or maybe it’s a problem you can solve with some short-term natural sleeping aids. Whatever the case, never rush to the pharmacy to buy powerful sleeping pills that might do more harm than good.
Types of Sleep Aids
There are many types of sleep aids to consider depending on your needs and each use varying ingredients to work upon your brain and body to influence sleep. This article focuses on the OTC options you have, rather than what a doctor might prescribe, but it’s important to understand the basic differences between them all.
Prescribed
If your doctor does prescribe you a sleep aid, chances are they have already had you try a few other options. Prescription sleep aids should be used with caution as they can be habit forming and gave severe side effects They also are rarely prescribed in high doses in order to allow you see if they work for you, or get you back on a proper schedule.
Natural
Natural sleep aids can include essential oils and melatonin ( a naturally occurring hormone that triggers sleep). Many plants also provide comfort at night- such as lavender, valerian, and chamomile. Just because they are natural does not mean they are entirely safe or without side effects, and directions should always be closely followed
Over the Counter
OTC options are by far the most popular and are considered fairly safe. However, they also can be habit forming and have side effects, so they should be used as needed and not depended on. These have a wide variety of choices concerning the ingredients, and any pharmacist can help you choose which might be best for you.
Understanding Your OTC Options
If you plan on taking over the counter sleep aids, here’s what you should know about the most common ingredients found inside them:
- Melatonin is a natural sleep aid, but it’s also one of the most frequently used ingredients in sleep aids. While melatonin is a hormone that’s naturally secreted by our bodies, telling us it’s time for bed, a low level of melatonin can actually indicate that it’s time to wake up, which means that it needs to be regulated with supplements if you want to fall asleep at the right time. The side effects of melatonin typically include daytime sleepiness and sometimes headaches.
- Valerian is known for being yet another natural sleep aid used in the manufacturing of over the counter medication. However, there aren’t really any conclusive studies that indicate a direct link between a valerian intake and the reduction of the time it takes to actually fall asleep.
- Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that acts as a sedative, making it a viable choice when you need to sleep. Since it’s not natural, the number of side effects are also increased and range from dry mouth to blurred vision.
- Doxylamine succinate is quite similar to diphenhydramine, being a sedating antihistamine. The side effects caused by this ingredient are also similar.
Conclusion
Even if you don’t need a medical prescription to take then, over the counter sleep aids are not to be treated as all-natural supplements that are good on a long-term basis. While they are not the last option to turn to, they definitely shouldn’t be the first one either. Other measures, such as behavioral therapy or sleep aid devices pose a lower health risk, a zero addiction risks and are a safer solution for people who have disrupted sleep-wake cycle. While they are preferred to prescription sleeping pills, it’s always best to consult your doctor before rushing down to the pharmacy to buy them. They are not indicated if you take any other medication for other health problems, as some active ingredients can interact with one another and cause drastic side effects.