Miya Pearson
Antihistamines are a class of medication that treats allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. They can also treat some digestive conditions. Some antihistamines can be taken before bed, while others are taken once or multiple times a day. While antihistamines can make you feel drowsy, they are not recommended as a sleep aid due to potential side effects, including altered mental state, urinary retention, dry mouth, and low blood pressure. Antihistamines may also lead to parasomnias such as sleepwalking and cause hyperactivity in children. Long-term use of antihistamines may also increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Can I take antihistamines before sleep?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness as a sleep aid | May cause drowsiness but shouldn't be used as a sleep aid due to potential health risks and side effects. |
| Side effects | Altered mental state, urinary retention, dry mouth, sleepwalking, hyperactivity, low-quality sleep, and anticholinergic properties that may increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. |
| Tolerance | People may develop a tolerance to antihistamines very quickly. |
| Safety | Not recommended for long-term use due to potential harmful side effects, especially in older adults. |
| Overdose risk | First-generation H1 antihistamines are most likely to lead to overdoses, especially in children and people over 65. |
| Alternative sleep aids | Melatonin, good sleep hygiene, and cognitive behavioral therapy. |
| Recommended use | Occasional use is generally considered okay for most people. |
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What You'll Learn
Antihistamines can cause drowsiness
Antihistamines are a class of medication that treats allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. Some antihistamines can also treat digestive conditions. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine in the body, a chemical that induces non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). As histamine levels in the brain decrease when we get ready for sleep, taking antihistamines can make you feel drowsy.
First-generation H1 antihistamines are most likely to lead to drowsiness and are sedating. Examples include diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate, which are found in over-the-counter medications. Anticholinergic drugs, such as antihistamines, can produce cognitive impairment that persists even after stopping usage. A review of 14 studies found that taking anticholinergic drugs increased the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
While antihistamines may help you fall asleep, they do not improve overall sleep quality. They can even have the opposite effect, causing hyperactivity, especially in children. Furthermore, long-term use may lead to harmful side effects and health risks, especially for older adults. Side effects include an altered mental state, urinary retention, dry mouth, sleepwalking, and other parasomnias.
Therefore, while antihistamines can cause drowsiness and may help you fall asleep, they are not recommended as a sleep aid due to potential health risks and limited effectiveness in improving sleep quality. If you are experiencing chronic insomnia, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for alternative treatments or medications.
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Side effects of antihistamines
While antihistamines can be effective in treating allergies and allergic rhinitis, they also come with a range of side effects that vary in severity. One of the most well-known side effects of antihistamines is drowsiness, which is more common with first-generation H1 antihistamines. While this drowsiness may be beneficial for those experiencing insomnia, it is not recommended as a long-term sleep solution due to potential health risks and the development of tolerance. Additionally, antihistamines can cause dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision, with the latter being more common in H1 antihistamines, especially first-generation variants.
Antihistamines can also lead to digestive issues, such as constipation, dry mouth, upset stomach, and nausea. These side effects occur due to the blocking of acetylcholine. Anticholinergic antihistamines, which include first-generation H1 antihistamines, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, with potential cognitive impairment persisting even after discontinuing the medication. Urinary retention is another possible side effect, which can be serious if left untreated as it may lead to bladder or kidney infections.
In rare cases, severe itching when stopping certain antihistamines and older adults experiencing an increased risk of falls have been reported. Additionally, antihistamines may cause insomnia in some individuals, and there is a potential for cardiotoxicity due to their QTc-prolonging effects. Euphoria, decreased coordination, and delirium may occur at higher doses. It is important to note that combining antihistamines with other medications or substances, such as alcohol, may worsen certain side effects.
While over-the-counter antihistamines are generally safe for occasional use, long-term use may lead to harmful side effects, especially in older adults. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting or changing medication to ensure safe and effective use.
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Antihistamines may cause health risks
Antihistamines are a class of medication commonly used to treat allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. They can also be used to treat some digestive conditions. While antihistamines can be purchased over the counter, they can cause significant problems if not used correctly. The main complication is overdose (antihistamine toxicity). Some antihistamines can also make certain health conditions worse, such as an enlarged prostate, heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, and hyperthyroidism.
First-generation antihistamines can cause sleepiness and slow reaction times, which can be dangerous if operating heavy machinery or driving a vehicle. They can also lead to an altered mental state, urinary retention, and dry mouth. While these side effects are generally mild and well tolerated in young patients, they can pose a risk to the elderly. Antihistamines may also cause sleepwalking and other parasomnias. In some cases, they can even have the opposite effect and cause hyperactivity, especially in children.
Long-term use of antihistamines may lead to harmful side effects, especially in older adults. A 2021 review of 14 studies found that taking anticholinergic medications, which include some antihistamines, increased the risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Antihistamines with anticholinergic properties can inhibit the action of acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to cognitive impairment. Given these potential risks, it is recommended that people only use antihistamines occasionally as a sleep aid and consult a healthcare professional if they are experiencing chronic insomnia.
In rare cases, antihistamines have been linked to liver injury, though this is usually mild and self-limiting. The antihistamines most commonly associated with liver injury are cyproheptadine, cetirizine, and terfenadine, which is no longer in clinical use. Other specific antihistamines that may cause adverse effects include cimetidine, which can cause gynecomastia in men and galactorrhea in women, and ranitidine, which was removed from the US market due to potential contamination with a carcinogen.
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Over-the-counter antihistamines
Some over-the-counter antihistamines include diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate. These medications cross the blood-brain barrier, mimicking the natural decrease in histamine levels in the brain that induces non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). However, it is important to note that antihistamines are not recommended as long-term sleep aids due to potential side effects. These side effects include altered mental state, urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred or double vision, and reduced coordination and reaction speed. In addition, antihistamines can cause sleepwalking and other parasomnias, especially in children.
While over-the-counter antihistamines may be okay for occasional use, long-term use may lead to harmful side effects, especially in older adults. Studies have shown that anticholinergic antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, may increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, regular use of antihistamines can lead to tolerance and dependency, with some individuals reporting withdrawal symptoms such as rebound insomnia when trying to stop taking them.
If you are considering taking over-the-counter antihistamines as a sleep aid, it is important to consult your healthcare provider first. Antihistamines can interact with other medications and may worsen certain health conditions. For example, first-generation H1 antihistamines, which are the ones most likely to cause drowsiness, can lead to an overdose if taken with hypnotics or sedatives, which are commonly found in sleeping pills. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the instructions on the packaging and not exceed the recommended dosage.
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Antihistamines and sleep quality
Antihistamines are a class of medication that treats allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy eyes. They can also treat some digestive conditions. Some antihistamines can be taken before bed, and others are only for short-term use. While antihistamines can cause drowsiness, they are not recommended as a sleep aid due to potential side effects and health risks.
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate cross the blood-brain barrier, inducing drowsiness. Anticholinergic antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, can produce cognitive impairment that persists even after discontinuation. A 2021 review found that taking anticholinergic medications increased the risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
While antihistamines may help some people fall asleep, they do not typically improve overall sleep quality. Additionally, they can sometimes have the opposite effect, causing hyperactivity, especially in children. Furthermore, long-term use of antihistamines may lead to harmful side effects, especially in older adults. These side effects can include an altered mental state, urinary retention, dry mouth, sleepwalking, and other parasomnias.
Some people take over-the-counter antihistamines as sleep aids, but experts caution against this practice. Instead, alternative sleep aids such as melatonin, good sleep hygiene, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are recommended. If chronic insomnia is an issue, consulting a healthcare professional is advised. They may prescribe medications that can help improve sleep quality without the same risks as antihistamines.
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Frequently asked questions
While antihistamines can make you feel drowsy and may help you fall asleep, they are not recommended as a sleep aid due to potential side effects, including altered mental state, urinary retention, dry mouth, and low-quality sleep.
Alternative sleep aids include melatonin, good sleep hygiene, and cognitive behavioral therapy. If you experience chronic insomnia, consult a healthcare professional for advice and potential prescription medications.
Long-term use of antihistamines may lead to harmful side effects, particularly in older adults. There is also an increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease with long-term use of certain antihistamines.
