In the photo above, you can see the exact Kirkland Signature sleep aid that I took every night for a week to see if it would help me through a patch of insomnia. As it’s an antihistamine, I was also curious to see if it would help with my dust mite allergy, which has been flaring up again recently.
Kirkland Signature is a private brand of Costco, and their sleep aid is widely available in the United States, both in stores and online. The main active ingredient is the antihistamine Doxylamine Succinate, which is also used in some other brands of sleep aids.
For example, another popular sleep aid – Unisom SleepTabs – has the same ingredients. Perhaps that’s why they felt the need to state on the label that it’s not made by the same company!
In this Kirkland sleep aid review, I’ll be describing my experience of taking it, which should in theory be very similar to when I tried Unisom. I’ll also discuss some of the warnings and side effects at the end.
My experience
The first night
My first impression was that the Kirkland sleep aid is, like Unisom, very small and easy to swallow.
The instructions tell you to take one tablet 30 minutes before going to bed. So I took one just as I got into bed and then read for a while. I always like to read after testing a sleep aid to see if there are obvious signs of sedation.
And since I was staying with a friend again, who has a notoriously dusty house (sorry if you’re reading this!), I wanted to see if it would stop my sniffling.
After around 30-40 minutes of reading, I did feel that my nose was less irritated. I didn’t feel any obvious drowsiness, but I turned the light off to go to sleep anyway.
I woke up around 6.5 hours later, which is a good result for me. I often wake in the night at least a couple of times, and an average good night for me normally means somewhere between six and seven hours’ sleep.
I felt a little groggy on first waking up, but it cleared up after a shower and coffee. This was again very similar to the first time I took Unisom.
The following nights
As I was expecting, the pattern for the rest of the week when taking the Kirkland sleep aid was quite similar to the Unisom – though not exactly the same, just to be clear.
One thing is for sure: it definitely helped in my eternal battle with the invisible hordes of dust mites.
As for sleep, I slept pretty well for five of the remaining six nights, despite some sporadic wakings. On the fifth night, I really didn’t feel any drowsiness and had a restless night. Maybe I slept well again the final night through tiredness. It’s impossible to say for sure.
Increasing morning grogginess
The groggy next-day effect increased throughout the week, as it has done with all the antihistamine sleep aids I’ve tried in the past. This seems inevitable if you continue taking them, which is why I rarely take them for more than a few nights at a time.
So by the fourth morning, it was taking a couple of hours to transition from what I’d put as 70% alertness on waking to 100% alert.
Still, it’s not a bad trade-off for what felt like a reasonably good night’s sleep, and distinctly better than the lack of alertness I feel after a night of endless tossing and turning.
All in all, I felt like it did its job of helping me fall sleep when I was having trouble sleeping in the previous days. The side effects were tolerable, but I wouldn’t want to push it and keep taking the sleep aid for longer.
What evidence is there that the Kirkland sleep aid works?
As with most over the counter sleep aids, the manufacturer doesn’t need to conduct clinical trials to sell it. All they need to do is adhere to the general standards in the country where supplements and ingredients of this type are concerned.
So, it’s probably more useful to see what evidence there is that the active ingredient works as a sedative. And for that, there’s no shortage of medical sites that talk about it causing drowsiness. The FDA even approved Unisom for use as a sleep aid.
A team of researchers in 2012 pointed out that it’s been an established drug for more than 50 years:
Currently, doxylamine medicinal products have been authorized for more than 50 years, with an appropriate extent of use, for symptomatic treatment of occasional insomnia, making doxylamine a drug with a well established use.
However, a team of researchers in 2015, which examined previous research studies into over the counter sleep aids, had this to say:
Currently available literature suggests that commonly used OTC sleep agents, especially antihistamines and valerian, continue to lack robust clinical evidence supporting efficacy and safety in relevant populations
This lack of evidence might also be reflected in the fact that some websites with many customer reviews have a mixture of people saying sleep aids like this one either work amazingly well or do nothing at all.
Perhaps there’s a placebo effect at work in some cases – something I’ve wondered many times in my own tests of sleep aids. Having said that, the placebo effect can be a powerful thing!
Further information
Ingredients
According to the patient leaflet in the box I bought, these are the ingredients:
Active ingredient
- There’s one active ingredient – Doxylamine Succinate, 25 mg
Inactive ingredients
- Dibasic calcium phosphate
- FD&C blue no. 1 aluminum lake
- Magnesium stearate
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Sodium starch glycolate
As I mentioned earlier, these were exactly the same ingredients as Unisom SleepTabs when I bought them both.
Who shouldn’t take this sleep aid
The box came with the following warnings:
1. Speak to a doctor before use if you have:
- Glaucoma
- A breathing problem, such as asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis
- Difficulty urinating because of an enlarged prostate gland
2. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if:
- You are taking any other medication
3. When using this sleep aid:
- Avoid alcohol
- Only take it at bedtime
4. Stop and speak to a doctor if:
- The sleep problem continues for two weeks
5. If pregnant or breastfeeding:
- Speak to a health professional first
6. Keep out of reach of children
7. If you overdose, get medical help or call a poison center
If you’d like to check this and more safety information, you can see the Kirkland Signature factsheet on drugs.com.
Warnings for older adults and children
I’ve seen an increasing number of medical sites recommend that older adults, as well as children, avoid Doxylamine Succinate. For example, WebMD says:
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, confusion, constipation, or trouble urinating. Drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.
If you’d like some in-depth information about the use of this type of sleep aid among older adults, there’s an interesting research study from 2017 which looks into the issue and explains why it’s a potential problem.
Healthline also has a clear article explaining why it’s not recommended to take an antihistamine for sleep every night. It explains that doxylamine succinate also has anticholinergic properties. And that research has explored how the cumulative effect of taking anticholinergic medication increased the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Possible side effects
Like most over the counter sleep aids, the manufacturer is not required to list every possible side effect. This is one of the issues with sleep aids sold as supplements rather than prescription drugs.
So, as with Unisom, I’ve checked medical sites like Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and others for the known possible side effects of the active ingredient. They are:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth, nose or throat
- Headache
- Constipation or difficulty urinating
- Stomach upset
- Memory problems
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Worse coordination
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Ringing in the ears
- Mental or mood changes (e.g. confusion, irritability, hallucinations)
- Easy bruising/bleeding
So is it safe to take?
Many drugs can cause side effects, often with scarily long lists of possible side effects. But generally, Doxylamine Succinate is tolerated reasonably well by most people in the short term.
Having said that, I recommend asking your doctor for their opinion first, even though it’s available over the counter. They can give you the best advice based on your personal medical history and other factors such as any medication you take. If you’re an older adult, or buying it for a child, I would avoid this sleep aid.
If you decide to try it, I wouldn’t recommend taking it for more than a week or two at the most based on my own experience. And if you have any side effects, stop taking it.
Finally, try to work on your sleep problems naturally by following good sleep hygiene techniques.
Your experience
Have you tried Kirkland Signature sleep aid? It’s always useful for readers to know what others think. So please feel free to share your experience in the comments below.
Did this product lower your white blood count?
Hi Donna
I don’t know as I don’t measure that on a regular basis. Why do you ask?
Regards
Ethan
I’ve been taking a sleep aid for five years, 1/2 tablet. When I first started, I took a whole pill and felt groggy in the morning. I cut it in half and it went away. I eat right and exercise every day, and I take the pills at the same time every day. I do not take the pill late at night; it’s a mistake. I am 69. I will keep taking it. But this is me, not you, so go to the doctor; it could be something else.
Hi Terry
Thanks for sharing your experience. Which sleep aid is that you’ve been taking?
Regards
Ethan
Hello Ethan,
I am getting to your fine Kirkland Sleep Aid review late here. I wanted to say how accurate and honest I felt it was. Thank you for sharing your experience. I have only tried this product twice after wanting to move away from Tylenol PM. Like many here, I’ve been taking a sleep aid regularly and really want to find something natural, which I know neither of these are. I wanted to comment on your increased morning grogginess, and that is exactly what I experienced with the Kirkland Sleep Aid product. I don’t experience that with the Tylenol PM, although I don’t sleep as well. While I have only tried Kirkland twice, I don’t like the grogginess and I want to wake up alert. So I am going to do more research to find what works for me. I did try a CBD gummy once, and it also made me groggy in the morning. Thank you for sharing your review.
Hi Vicki
Thanks for your comment, and I’m happy to hear you liked the article. I do try my best to be honest when writing about sleep aids as I know people actually read them! Sadly, morning grogginess is quite common with many sleep aids, even over the counter ones.
It’s interesting what you say about the CBD. Did you find my article about that too? I have also tried it, but didn’t find it did that much for me.
Regards
Ethan
I had to cut the dose to half a pill. If I didn’t, I’d sleep late and be very drowsy. I like this product.
Hi Scott
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have a similar issue with the antihistamines sometimes – they can leave me feeling drowsy in the morning. It’s often a case of finding the right one and the right dose, and then not taking them for too many consecutive days either – ideally – as I find the next-morning drowsiness seems to get worse over time.
Regards
Ethan
I have taken it most nights for two years. I am 64. It helps me stay asleep but lately, I’m having a harder time coming out of it. I did not know low blood pressure was a side effect and I do have low blood pressure but have always had that. I have some dizziness on standing and never thought it was related until reading this. I think I’ll try to taper off my usage.
Hi Becky
Thanks for sharing your experience. Hopefully tapering it off will help, if it is the cause. I’d mention it to your doctor as well though to be on the safe side.
Regards
Ethan
I’ve been taking Costco sleep aid for over 5 years. I just read that doxylamine succinate is directly related to dementia and Alzheimer’s in older people. I cannot sleep without it so now I’m freaking out…. Nothing else works for me so the last 2 nights I tried 20 mg of melatonin and that didn’t work at all- so frustrated!
Hi Michelle
It’s a bit of a murky area I think, without clear warnings on the products sold that contain antihistamines. It’s frustrating when you have to change the method you use to help you sleep, I know. But in the long run, it would be good to find a way. When you say nothing else works, have you tried all the many different typical sleep hygiene techniques? Sometimes I think it’s a case of trying lots of different techniques until something works.
Regards
Ethan
I am so worried… I am taking 1/2 Sleep aid since October and they work for me wonderfully sleeping-wise, but I have noticed I forget words in my native Spanish and in English so that makes me not speak as fluently as I usually do. I forget things and things I was going to do the next minute. I stopped taking them yesterday night. I am terribly worried because not only do I notice it, but now also my children do. I feel somehow desperate. I am 55 and usually, I am very sharp and fast with speech and cognitive matters, now I notice this problem. Yesterday I made an appointment with the neuro. It was until yesterday that I realize maybe the sleep aid has something to do with it. I hope this is the cause.
Hi Maria
I can understand why you are so concerned. I don’t know if the sleep aid could be the cause, but it’s of course important to discuss what you’ve been taking with the doctor. I hope they help you to understand what’s going on.
Regards
Ethan
Terrible side effects…..extreme nausea and sleepiness all day for 24 hours…the WORST…Z drugs much more effective and have a bad rap …..disgraceful that doctors will not prescribe to help millions….
Hi there
Sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction to the sleep aid. Z drugs do tend to be more powerful, yes. But not everyone will react the way you did to antihistamines, and some will react worse to Z drugs. It’s always a case of finding the right one for you personally, and working on natural techniques to improve sleep (in the ideal world!)
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan, I’ve been taking Kirkland sleep aid since 2017. They sure do work but I have to take two. I’ve just ordered the soft gels 50mg. I will let you know how I find them.
Regard
Nikki
Hi Nikki
Thanks for sharing your experience. How often do you take them usually?
Regards
Ethan
Ambien is the worst, caused sleep eating! Yikes! Rather take Costco sleep aid.
Hi! I know you’re not my doctor but do you know if this can cause dementia? I used to take melatonin 10mg but it doesn’t knock me out so I was considering the Kirkland one. Thanks for your post and time!
Hi Stephanie,
I don’t know of any evidence proving that antihistamines directly cause dementia. I know there was a study a couple of years ago that found an association between certain anticholinergic drugs and dementia, but as I understand it, it didn’t prove a direct cause. If it’s a concern to you, I recommend speaking to your doctor and considering alternatives like a herbal remedy and sleep hygiene techniques.
This article at the Harvard Medical School publishing website summarises the study.
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan,
I came here searching to see if anyone was having heart palpitations that they linked to the use of this medication. I am 50 years old and I’m on my fourth bottle of the sleep aid which i take every night. I mostly have problems staying asleep, although at times i simply can’t even fall asleep, my brain goes into overdrive at nights.
About 2 weeks ago i began noticing heart palpitations, i am a bit concerned but i wasn’t sure it was the sleep Aid. Now that I know it is a possibility, I will seek my doctor’s advice on it’s continued use.
Thanks Laurence for sharing your experience.
Regards,
Elicia
Hi there
Thanks for your comment. I think it’s definitely wise to check in with your doctor considering your palpitations, just to be on the safe side.
Regards
Ethan
You are an absolute legend, you still reply to these questions two years later.
That’s kind of you to notice and comment on Brandon – thanks!
I never close the comments on articles on this website as I like the idea that people can share their experiences. I do usually stop commenting personally after 3-5 years, but try to read them all at least.
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan, Am 47yrs and I started getting aniexty attacks and insomnia at times last year. I tried Kalms for awhile it it was ok. I believe am in the perimenopause stage. But as of 2021 i started experencing heartbeat and ringing in my ear, that makes it unbearable to sleep. Should i try this sleep aid.
Hi Trescia
Sorry to hear you’ve had those issues. I’m not a doctor, so I never advise people to take sleep aids based on comments on my blog. My recommendation is usually to check in with your doctor/physician if you’re in any way unsure if it would be safe and appropriate for you to take.
Regards
Ethan
I will not take this sleeping aid anymore. I used to take it once in a while and I had terrible side effects.
Hi, I understand that this is supposed to be taken at night. However, I work at night so I sleep in the morning. Would this work the same or will it have a different effect on me? Appreciate the response!
Hi
If it works effectively for you as a sedative, then it shouldn’t matter so much what time you take it. Other factors will play a role in how well you sleep in the day that might then make you wonder about the effectiveness of the sleep aid. But as a rule, it’s not designed to only work at night.
Regards
Ethan
Hello
I have been taking these pills for about 6 years and never had a problem until the last few months I have found myself getting:
Dry nose
Feeling drowsy
having mood swings
anxiety attacks
and nightmares every night
Could this be from these sleeping pills it never bothered me before but I can’t think of anything else that can be causing all these things and I think I should make myself stop taking them?
Hi Ash
I imagine it’s possible the sleep aid is causing it. But it could be many things, so it’s hard to say. Considering how you’re feeling, I would probably stop taking them and consult a doctor as soon as possible to check if something else could be the cause.
I hope you get on top of it and feel better soon.
Regards
Ethan
It appears that they changed the I ingredients from what I have read on the Costco site. Looks like it was about a year ago. The old formula had the white cap and the new has the blue. Also said unison is similar so maybe that.
No, the ingredients are exactly the same ,no matter the color of the bottles lid. I had some old ones left with the white lids and when I bought the new package with the blue lids I checked the ingredients and they are the same.
I take 1/2 of a pill and if I wake up I will take the other half. Taking one whole pill all at once can cause dry nose and feeling drowsy. With this pill it’s less than more.
I have been taking Sleep Aid from Costco for several months. I was recently told it’s like Ambien. Is that true? Stopped taking them because of that. Miss my good nights sleep. I am now trying Melatonin and Grape flavored Jells from my local Pot store. Not very helpful yet. Should I stick with it or can I go back to Sleep Aid from Costco?
If you mean the Kirkland one I reviewed, then no, it’s not like Ambien – it has completely different ingredients.
Regards
Ethan
This medicine is not a Z drug which lunesta and ambien are. It is a antihistimine. I got addicted to ambien very quickly. This medicine is great with no risk of addiction I’ve taken it every night for 5 years now.
Can a rare side effect of Kirkland’s Sleep aid decrease blood platelets?
Hi Nancy
Unfortunately, this kind of question is beyond what I would consider myself qualified to answer. You’d have to ask your doctor about it if you’re unsure because of any medical condition you may have. And for doing research yourself, I’d search online for questions like ‘can antihistamines decrease blood platelets’. Just doing a quick check now myself, it seems that this is an area that has been researched.
Sorry I can’t help more.
Regards
Ethan
I am 47 and have had insomnia for as long as I can remember. I have literally gone 2 weeks with no sleep before. Average was 3 or 4 days which puts me into what my boyfriend calls Zombie Mode.
Let me begin with the fact that I used to take a ‘heavily’ prescribed dose of Ambien to help me sleep while I was also at the peak of my alcoholism. (Drinking 3/4 of a handle bottle of Captain Morgan a day.)
Yes, I know!
10 years ago I finally got sober and wanted to take less prescribed medications. I started taking the Kirkland Sleep Aid about 4 years ago and I can definitely say, for me anyway, it is nonaddictive. I used to take 1 pill every night in the beginning but lately, it seems that I need less because if I take 1 pill, I can usually sleep okay without it for a couple of nights unless my anxiety is extremely high as it has been since the pandemic began. I would definitely rather take a pill to sleep then up my anxiety meds. Most of the time I just take 1/2 of a pill every other night. I am sleeping within an hour and get about 6 to 7 hours of good sleep.
The only side effects that I have are:
1. Weird or bad dreams. (Usually they are just crazy strange dreams but sometimes I do have nightmares)
2. Grogginess for the first hour after waking. (I usually have to force myself not to go back to bed because I will happily sleep all day if at all possible)
3. Dry mouth causing bad breath.
Hi Lisa
Thanks for sharing your experience. I can appreciate having more anxiety because of the pandemic – I feel it too, as I’m sure many, many people do. I can also understand wanting to keep off more powerful prescription sleep aids.
If you’ve been taking these every night, or most nights, for four years I’d say that’s a very long time to be taking an antihistamine sleep aid. When you get the chance, I’d talk it through with your doctor to get their professional opinion about the safety. As you say, you already have some side effects. Ideally, you’d be able to sleep without any side effects from a medication.
Regards
Ethan
I have been using sleep aid when coming off a night-shift pattern. I currently do 3 weeks’ night-shift and was finding it hard to turn back onto a normal sleeping pattern. I now take 2 sleep aids prior to going to bed for the first week and it really helps me sleep. Even when I wake up through the night I quickly fall asleep again. Without it, I would toss and turn wide awake staring at the ceiling unable to get back to sleep. I do feel groggy in the morning but the sleep is with it. Not sure if taking 2 pills a night is a good thing but now know 2 works for me I’m reluctant to take the 1.
Hi Cameron
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s good that you’ve found something that works. Personally, I’d always stick with not exceeding the recommended dosage though.
Regards
Ethan
Can I take 2 pills
I would only take the recommended dosage on the particular box/bottle you bought.
The recent pandemic scared the hell out of me, that I could not get a good night’s sleep. So I turned to using Kirkland sleep aid for one month: 34 tablets out of the 96 that come in the small bottle. Unfortunately, I now find myself addicted to the little blue pill. I have not taken any for five nights and I can NOT fall asleep. How long do I have to go “cold turkey” to wear off the effects of this little but powerful pill? Should I try to cut the pill in half for a smaller dose and gradually ween off the sleeping pill?
Hi Ray
Thanks for sharing your experience. I know what you mean – I’ve also been struggling with anxiety at times, especially at night when the brain becomes overactive if you’re worried.
It’s hard to say how long it will take before the effects clear, but I would have thought 5 days would be enough. Some people do take smaller doses, but it might be better to find natural ways to relax at night instead and manage the feelings – especially if you were a good sleeper before the current situation. Have you looked into mindfulness, meditation or other relaxation techniques? I find it really helpful to regularly practice these things. I’ve been in an area with a stay at home order for 2.5 months now, and doing meditation every night has been one of the things that has helped both my sleep and my sanity I think!
Regards
Ethan
I have been taking this pill for the last 5 years and always worked. I just opened a new pill bottle that I bought in Costco and I feel is not working for me. Before the pills had a little dent for easy cutting by half and these new pills do not have it. I was taking 1 1/2 and it’s not as effective as before.
Any idea what’s happening? Thanks
Hi Ana
I don’t know what happened with the pills, but it’s not uncommon for a manufacturer to make some small changes to the way they produce their pills.
I know you didn’t come here asking for advice about actually taking them, but I should say that it’s a really long time to take an anti-histamine sleep aid. When you’re able to, I’d recommend talking it over with your doctor.
Regards
Ethan
So, I’ve asked a couple of doctors over the last 3 years: saying that I’ve been taking this regularly & beyond the recommended “not more than 2 weeks”, probably for several years now. And they each just shrugged and said: if it works, just keep taking it! I thought they would recommend something different. Occasionally I only take a 1/2 pill. Sometimes I take 1 & 1/2, if I’ve been struggling with the “1” to sleep. I’ve had trouble for as long as I can remember back to being a kid. But now I also have chronic pain, so I think that makes it worse. I’ve started to wake up a couple of hours after falling asleep at times. That’s when I’ll temporarily take 1 &1/2 pills next night. I previously took Tylenol PM for a year or so, and I think this works better than diphenhydramine sleep aids. And I also dream a bit more with doxylamine succinate. I think someone else above said this as well: morning grogginess is a trade-off .. for being unable to function on the far less sleep I’d get without it.
I love this pill because my insomnia is terrible.
But I have started to have heart palpitations, and it wakes me up.
I am sure it comes from the pill, and I decided to lower the intake.
I am going to try half, and maybe less.
The palpitations scare me.
I am in good health, not overweight and I am 48 years old.
I will see. I like the fact that they put me to sleep 45 to an hour later.
Hi Laurence
Thanks for your comment. Personally, I’d be very careful with any sleeping pills that create a noticeable change in how you feel your heart. If you’re able to at this time, ask your doctor about it. But if not, I would think twice about even taking a lower dosage.
Regards
Ethan
It caused me to have pretty bad gastrointestinal problems. The pill is small but very bitter. I didn’t help me sleep at all.
Hi Denise
Thanks for sharing your experience, and sorry to hear it wasn’t a good one for you. None of these OTC sleep aids will suit everyone, unfortunately. If you have problems like that, I would avoid others that have the same ingredient too.
Regards
Ethan
This product works toooooo well. Since reading reviews, I will try half a tab. A full tab makes me tired and groggy the next day. I have mixed reviews for this. It works well but the next day side effects for me are too extreme.
Hi Jess
Your experience is likely quite a common one, so hopefully reducing the dosage will work for you. You could also try different brands with the same ingredient to see if they have a smaller dosage where you buy from.
Regards
Ethan
I take a fourth of a tablet and it works well. Have taken a full one and there was no difference. Not drowsy in the morning at all
I have been taking 1/2 tablet every night for 10 years, its the only thing that works for my allergies. I tried stopping this week after reading some of the reviews, but my allergies came back straight away?
Hi Lynne
I can understand you concern. There are many allergy meds these days – have you tried any others?
Regards
Ethan
Hi Lyn have you had any side effects from this? I’m interested to know after taking it so long did you notice anything along the way?
Sleep Aid is my life saver without which I would be up almost every night tossing and turning. The best part is that I need only 1/4 of the tablet about 1 hour before going to bed and I have a good nights’ sleep, and even if I wake up in the middle of the night, I have no problem going back to sleep. So far, I have had no side effects and I have been taking it for about one year now. I don’t know what I would do without it.
I have taken a half pill every night for a few years, it is my lifesaver! A full pill during the week makes me sleep too hard and then I don’t want to get up in the morning! No hangover, no side effects, love this stuff (I buy it on ebay!) :)
Hi Chris
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s interesting to hear from someone who finds them so helpful.
Regards
Ethan
I have been taking just a half of one pill for about a month now. I Have been having a problem with waking several times a night and not being able to fall back asleep for an hour or more each time. With this Kirkland sleep aid I sleep all the way thru for about 7 to 8 hours with no after effects. I have just developed a slight mucus problem, just a bit of phlegm at the top of my lungs and all it takes is a quick cough to expel. Could it be related to the sleep aid? It started at just about the same time I began taking the half pill. Otherwise no side effects that I am aware of. I love the full night sleep.
Hi Tom
Thanks for sharing your experience. It could be, but it’s not possible for me to say really. I’d be careful using it for longer as they aren’t meant to be taken long term, and in my experience the side effects of antihistamine sleep aids only build with time.
Regards
Ethan
I have had the exact same experience. I take half of the pill and find that I tend to go straight back to sleep after waking, instead of tossing and turning for an hour or two. no other problems though.
I have taken various sleep remedies for 15 years. Nothing has ever left me as hungover as Kirkland sleep aid. It took me a couple of hours to feel like I would be safe behind the wheel of my car. It was a horrible experience.
Hi Lola
Thanks for your comment and for sharing your experience. Sounds like it’s definitely not the one for you, and it’s good you recognised the effect it had on you, so that you could judge your ability to drive properly.
Regards
Ethan
Hi! I am 22 and I am having a hard time getting myself to sleep. There are times that even I am tired or have been awake for a day I still can’t get to dreamland. So I am wondering if this product, once I drink it, will make me sleepy a few minutes after or does this product just help you stay asleep and not wake up in the middle of the night?
Hi Yssa
If it does work for you, then it might make you feel a little sleepy, yes. But not everyone will experience that – it depends on various factors.
Regards
Ethan
I’ve been taken this sleep aid for a couple of years now with no side effects. I now only take a quarter of a pill to get my needed 6 to 7hrs. I’ve also recommended Mit to friends and co-workers and they all thanked me
Hi Mike
Thanks for sharing your experience. There’s no doubt that it can help some people – the only issue is the long-term usage!
Regards
Ethan
Our Costco store in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada does not sell them. Can I buy them online? I had one several years back at my brothers home in BC and it worked great.
Hi Marion
I’m not sure, to be honest. You can get them on Amazon in the US, but not Canada. Maybe you can get them shipped from the US. But there may also be others with similar ingredients you might get closer to home.
Ethan
I have been taking this sleep aid for about 6 years (only when I need help falling/staying asleep) Unlike others that I have tried, they are perfect for me, as they enable me to fall and stay asleep. I am a person who needs 8 hrs. or more of sleep and I can attain that with this sleep-aid. I have never had the groggy feeling in the morning. Just the opposite, ready to tackle the world. I hope Costco never stops selling them as I have found them to be so beneficial and it always my luck that whenever I find something that works for me, they discontinue it.
Hi JoLee
Thanks for sharing your experience. That’s a really long time to take an anti-histamine sleep aid for. Have you ever discussed it with your doctor/physician?
Regards
Ethan
Hi I’ve been using kirkland for many years, after reading most of the messages I’ve not seen an answer to the problems of long term usage?
Hi Elizabeth
Did you take a look at the Healthline article I linked in the section about older adults and children? In that, they discuss the long-term safety.
Regards
Ethan
JoLee- I’ve been using them since 2012 and feel the same as you, these are a lifesaver, I get at least 7-8 hrs each night, and feel great when I wake.
It has me ready to take in the world, you enter REM sleep which we all need for a proper balance in mental health. When I first started talking these I did feel a little groggy in the mornings, but when your body gets caught up on the good sleep it needs, this goes away.
The best part is, should you have to make a bathroom trip in the night, you will fall back asleep very fast like the interruption did not take place.
These are the best sleep tabs I’ve ever taken and my family does not feel the need to research or look any further for a pill to help us sleep.
Please try these out if you have sleep problems.
I am 65 and have been taking Kirkland Sleep aid nightly for over twenty years without any side effects. (A few of my friends also take it nightly with zero side effects.) However, this past year my lips have become chapped, itchy and swollen and now my legs and face are itchy. My daughter recommended this product to her friend and after trying it said it made her itchy. (She did not know about my itchiness.) Could my itchiness be related to my sleeping aid?
Hi Marcie
Thanks for your comment. To be completely honest, I really can’t say if there is a connection. This is something you’d need to discuss with our personal doctor/physician. I think it would be a good idea anyway, as that’s a very long time to take a sleep aid for, and maybe they will have some advice about that too.
Regards
Ethan
I love this sleep aid. Due to menopause, I’ve been having trouble falling asleep and sleeping well. I take a half of one pill almost every night, and sleep wonderfully. Due to reducing the dose, I rarely wake up groggy.
Hi Joanne
Thanks for your comment. It’s great you’ve found something that helps. Just be aware of the warnings and try to tackle your sleep without sleep aids in the long run if you can.
Regards
Ethan
Is it okay to take it every night? Or only if you having trouble sleeping?
Hi Archie
It’s usually recommended only to take these sleep aids if you need them – i.e. if you are experiencing bad sleep. And if it continues for 2 weeks, to speak to a doctor rather than continuing to take them.
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan. I have had insomnia for 15 yrs. So here is my solution. I love, love Kirkland sleep aids. But after yrs I was up to 3 a night. I found a CBD oil called Drift Away drops. So now I take 1 Kirkland sleep aid and I vile off the CBD. I have tried one without the other, no luck. So this is my solution to insomnia and it works for me 100 %. I do this every night.
Hi Tori,
A fellow sufferer who is on the same journey. I have a similar situation and have been taking kirkland sleep aid for a very many years now. It does sometimes worry me about the longer term effects until I read articles like this. I did get up to 4 a night. Not good, so for many years since, I in fact now restrict myself to half – then in the night, if I awake again. I take the second half. And accept the nights of 6-6.5 hours of sleep are amazing for me this way.
Well got to say I’ve been taking this for 12 years now every night without any side effects. End of the day if it helps you sleep and works for you then stick to it. I range from 1/2 a tablet to 2 depending on my situation.