I recently tried Nytol One-A-Night, which is a popular over the counter sleeping pill containing the antihistamine diphenhydramine as the active ingredient.
I also tried the Nytol Herbal version not long ago, so I’ll be comparing the effectiveness of both in this review.
I took the herbal version for three nights, and then had a week without using any sleep aids. Following that, I took one 50 mg tablet of the One-A-Night for four nights.
I know from experience that antihistamine sleeping pills work quite well for me, so there was more of a chance of a placebo effect. I’ll try to give as unbiased an account as possible though.
My experience
The Nytol knockout
Compared to the herbal version, I thought I might experience a more noticeable sedative effect. That’s kind of what happened, just not exactly how I imagined.
The instructions say to take it 20 minutes before bed. I did that on the first night and stayed awake reading for around 40 minutes – I was curious to see if I could detect any feeling of drowsiness that was different from how I’d normally feel in bed.
There was still no noticeable effect after 40 minutes, so I switched the light off anyway. I believe I then fell asleep within ten minutes, and woke up nine hours later!
I didn’t wake up once during the night, which is unusual for me, and overslept the alarm by one hour. So it appeared that the Nytol had done its job.
Feeling the effects in the morning
In the morning, I felt quite refreshed – both mentally and physically. However, I also had a bit of a fuzzy head and felt some light pressure on my forehead, just above my eyes.
It’s strange when sleep aids work this way; you feel like you slept well, but also have some nagging side effects that remind you that you just took a sleep aid.
The fuzzy sensations slowly faded on their own, taking a couple of hours to completely disappear. So although the Nytol seemed to give me a good night’s sleep, it didn’t leave me feeling 100% the next morning.
I was still able to go about my day and work, but those symptoms were annoying.
The following nights
On the second night, I repeated the same routine. There was the same effect of not feeling drowsy, but I still fell asleep relatively quickly. I again woke up in the morning without any memory of nocturnal wakings. And once again, I had a fuzzy head.
On the third night, I don’t think the sedative effect was quite as strong. The manufacturer advises that you can develop a tolerance to Nytol, but night three seemed quite soon to me.
I woke up a couple of times in the night this time, but admittedly still slept pretty well. The next morning symptoms were similar though.
I tried it one more time, and again didn’t have a repeat of the first or second night’s total knockout, but still slept quite well.
By this point, I’d had enough of the groggy feeling, was content with a couple of good nights’ sleep, and didn’t take them again that week.
Would I take Nytol One-A-Night again?
The Nytol appeared to work quite well for me, and I appreciated sleeping right through the night. The persistent fuzzy head the next day was an issue though.
On balance, I might consider taking Nytol again, but only as a one-off if I felt I really needed it. I much prefer to focus on natural techniques to sleep better without relying on a sleep aid that gives me lingering side effects as a trade-off for the easy way to get some sleep.
How it compares with the herbal type
The first thing to note is that the Nytol One-A-Night don’t smell or taste as bad as the valerian-based herbal ones, so that’s a plus.
They were considerably stronger in effect than the herbal pills for me too. Strangely, I did feel a sedative effect with the others while still awake, which I didn’t with the One-A-Night.
I didn’t feel any effects the next day with the herbal pills though, so they both have their pros and cons.
Please remember that this was just my experience with the two types. It could be completely different for you, and as you’ll see in the comments below, people react differently to them.
Update: trying Nytol Original (25mg)
Nytol Original is very similar to the One-A-Night, except you take 2 x 25 mg pills instead of 1 x 50 mg.
So I was curious to see what would happen if I only took 25 mg, and if the lingering next-day effects would be less of an issue.
I tried just one pill for three consecutive nights and did find they were better for me. I still experienced a sedative effect – not as much as the 50 mg dosage, but enough to help me sleep a bit better.
The headache and fuzzy head weren’t as bad in the morning, though I didn’t feel 100% clear either.
So I think this is one to consider if you’d like to start with a lower dosage, or found the higher one made you feel groggy in the morning.
Update: trying other sleep aids that contain diphenhydramine
Nytol isn’t the only sleep aid that uses diphenhydramine as the active ingredient. I’ve now tried a couple of others and had a very similar experience each time.
So for me personally, I can be fairly sure that the sedative effect and potential side effects will be quite consistent no matter which brand I take.
Further information
Nytol ingredients
From the instruction leaflet on the pack I bought, the ingredients are:
- Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 50mg
- Anhydrous lactose
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Maize starch
- Stearic acid
- Silicon dioxide
Possible side effects
The leaflet describes the following possible side effects:
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
- Reduced attention
- Unsteadiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Allergic reactions (like a rash, shortness of breath or swelling)
- Blurred vision
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Muscle twitching
- Convulsions
- Headaches
- Pins and needles
- Nausea or vomiting
- Thicker bronchial mucus
- Difficulty urinating
If you notice any of these side effects, or have any other new symptoms when you take Nytol, stop taking the Nytol and consult your doctor or a pharmacist.
Who shouldn’t take it?
If any of the following conditions or situations apply to you, the manufacturer advises against taking it, or consulting a doctor first:
- Children under the age of 16.
- If you’re allergic to any of the ingredients.
- If you have: a stomach or gut obstruction, such as an ulcer.
- Asthma, bronchitis or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
- Narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Enlarged prostate or urinary retention.
- Moderate or severe liver disease.
- Myasthenia gravis, epilepsy or seizure disorders.
- You shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery.
- You shouldn’t drink alcohol.
- Intolerance to lactose or some sugars.
- If you’re taking other medication, talk to a doctor first. Especially antidepressants, atropine, other antihistamines or any that cause drowsiness.
- If you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- If your sleep problem lasts longer than 2 weeks, or you need a higher dose of Nytol to fall asleep.
Warnings for older adults
If you’re an adult over 60, I highly recommend consulting your primary care doctor, physician, or pharmacist before taking Nytol. And for that matter, any sleep containing the antihistamines diphenhydramine or doxylamine. This includes Advil, Tylenol, and Benadryl, for example.
The current guidelines in the United States is that sleep aids containing first generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine should be avoided by older adults.
Reading for older adults
If you’d like to find out more about this recommendation, here are some sources to start you off:
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh published an interesting study in 2018. Here’s a quote from their work that summarises the issue clearly:
Diphenhydramine has potentially harmful effects on older adults including risk of motor impairment and anticholinergic effects; its use is also associated with falls. Diphenhydramine may be especially dangerous in older adults due to its longer half-life compared younger individuals. Another safety risk of using diphenhydramine at night is the presence of a residual sedative effect the morning after use .
Pharmacytoday.com lists medications that are not recommended for older adults. This is taken from the Beers criteria, which are widely used by healthcare practicioners to guide treatment choices for older adults. They explain why diphenhydramine is to be avoided as:
…clearance reduced with advanced age, and tolerance develops when used as hypnotic; risk of confusion, dry mouth, constipation, and other anticholinergic effects or toxicity
The full Beers criteria was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, though you need to pay to access the full text. That’s why I mentioned the Pharmacy Today article instead.
Choosingwisely.org also briefly mentions that the antihistamines should be avoided.
Interestingly, in the UK, the website of the National Health Service only recommends starting with the lower dose if you’re aged over 65 because you’re more likely to get side effects. I think it’s wise to ask your GP for their advice first though if you plan on using it as a sleep aid.
Further reading
Medicines.org.uk has an online patient leaflet for Nytol.
As well as discussing using it with your own doctor, you can use the Nytol website contact page to ask the manufacturer questions (not a paid link).
As well as considering sleeping pills, you might find it useful to read my own recommendations for sleeping better that don’t involve any medication.
Your experience
Have you tried Nytol One-A-Night, Nytrol Original, or the herbal type?
Please leave a comment below describing your experience with them, and whether they helped you sleep better or not.
I have taken NYTOL for two nights now and on both occasions it has taken four hours for them to work.
Phil
Hi Phil
Thanks for your comment. It doesn’t sounds like it’s a sleep aid that’s right for you in that case.
Regards
Ethan
I take NYTOL 50mg one a night twice a week so Sunday nights & midweek Wednesday nights & have done on & off for years. They are the only over-the-counter sleep aids that work for me & I’ve tried MANY over the years even prescription sleep drugs like zopiclone & melatonin all giving me dreadful problems.
I do feel a bit fuzzy the next morning after Nytol if i don’t take it early enough, so i try to take it at 10pm, bed by 11. I’m asleep straight away! I wake once during the night for the loo & easily get off to sleep again.
I’m a terrible insomniac & often lay there in bed all night long, not even managing to sleep for a second. Then i get myself in a dreadful state of anxiety at just the thought of going to bed again the next night. Its a terrible vicious circle!
So these have been my little saviours.
I work away a lot and struggle to sleep in hotels. I tried the nytol one a night and found I was too groggy to work the next day. I then tried the Nytol originals and found even just taking one left me with the fuzzy head you described. I’ve experimented with the amount and have now settled on taking two thirds of one nytol original tablet. I find this is enough to help me get 7 hours or so of sleep (enough for me) without waking with a fuzzy head, so I’m able to work in the morning.
Hi Nicola
Thanks for your comment. It’s interesting to hear how much you had to drop the dosage to find a level that works for you. It’s a shame about the grogginess, but if you can organise the dosage yourself, it makes sense.
Regards
Ethan
I took nytol 3 nights running as it was coming up to my daughter’s wedding and l would be doing her hair so felt l needed good sleep. However, ended up feeling really depressed and had to go to doctors as I’d never felt like this. He agreed nytols ingredients were the cause. Never use them ever again.
Hi
Have tried nytol one a night to help me sleep after a night shift. The longest I can get is 4 hours solid then I’m awake and feel like I’m hungover from drink. I try to go back to bed before going to work but don’t seem to drop off. Tried the herbal ones did nothing at all. If I don’t take anything I struggle to fall to sleep and when I do up awake every 10 min.
Hi Wendy
Thanks for your comment. That hangover effect does happen to some people, unfortunately. Shift work, in general, can be a problem for sleep.
Regards
Ethan
Wendy check out Michael Sealey Sleep meditations via you Tube ? They are simply the best & he has a voice too die for lol ? Pleasant dreams from this day forward!
I have used Nytol (1 a night) off and on for some time now and have always found it beneficial. However, recently I have been experiencing bladder problems, i.e. difficulty passing urine, which resulted in a hospital A&E visit recently. Pretty unpleasant. Now waiting to see a consultant. Could this be a side effect of the Nytol? If so, will it clear itself up?
Hi June
Thanks for your comment. Urinary retention is one of the points the patient leaflet mentions as something you should discuss with your doctor before taking it. I can’t say if it’s a coincidence or is connected, or if it will clear up. But I’d take the box with you when you see the consultant and ask them – hopefully they can give you a clearer answer.
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan
Thank you for your response and the comments therein which I have taken on board and will speak to the Consultant at the time. I’m disappointed that I feel as though I cannot chance taking Nytol any longer until this is clarified. It certainly will be a miss as it has been a lifeline for me.
Regards
June
Hi
You’re welcome. I understand your frustration – hopefully it will prove to be the best course of action though and you can go forward with professional medical advice.
Regards
Ethan
Hello Ethan,
Has the active ingredient in Nytol One a night changed in the last 20 odd years?
I seem to remember they had chloral hydrate in them or am I mistaken?
Hi Nicola
I’m afraid I don’t know. You could try writing to them to see if they can tell you more about that.
Regards
Ethan
Tried Nytol Herbal on recommendation of GP. Have taken them occasionally over a 2 week period. Last night, due to the very hot weather currently in the UK, I took two, hoping to have an undisturbed night.
Big mistake! Today I have been plagued with stomach cramps and constipation. I pressed by tummy earlier and suffered a sharp pain. I didn’t sleep through the night without waking. Also, they smell awful, like poo! (Sorry!) Every time I’ve answered a call of nature today, I can still smell them. After today’s experience, think I’ll put up with my interrupted sleep, instead of trying to remedy it.
Hi Julia
Thanks for your comment. I’m also in the UK at the moment, so I know what you mean about the hot weather! I also know what you mean about the smell of them.
Just to avoid reader confusion, by the way, the Herbal type are not the ones I discussed in this review, even though they are both made by Nytol.
It sounds like you might have a sensitivity to Valerian considering what you said, unless it’s a coincidence and something else caused it.
I would talk to your G.P. about it to see if they agree.
Regards
Ethan
I’ve been taking nytol 1 a night for 6 or 7 months I’m a 50+ lady I find I’m waking after 3 or 4 hrs sleep and not able to go back off can I increase the dose? I work full time and am constantly tired, no point in going to my gp as I feel they won’t be interested
Thank you
Hi Julie
Thanks for your comment. It’s not advised to take more than the recommended dosage unless your doctor recommends it. But you won’t want to talk to them, which means not increasing it. I’d also say that 6 months is a long time to be taking a sleep aid, and it’s generally advised not to use them for extended periods of time.
I would suggest speaking to your GP. I know you think they won’t be interested, but they should be! It sounds like you have serious sleep problems, and daytime tiredness. In my opinion, it’s valid to talk to your doctor about it.
Regards
Ethan
I took a Nytol one a night for the first time last night and went to sleep quite quickly. I woke up three hours later needing the toilet…I had a prostatectomy (turp) non cancerous 18 months ago and still get up twice a night but otherwise it has been successful. Again up again after 3 hrs…felt a bit disoriented when I eventually got up this morning. Is it safe to take after my prostatectomy? My flow is slower in the night.
Hi Ian
Thanks for your comment. I’m not a doctor so can’t advise you on that specific situation. I haven’t read anything that warns against it, but it’s best to check with your personal doctor if you’re unsure.
Regards
Ethan
I have had the most awful body spasms and an almost hallucinogenic experience on three occasions with several weeks in between. Please be advised that mentally vulnerable may have an experience that is opposed to the desired
Hi Joanne
Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you had that awful experience. Have you mentioned it to your personal doctor?
Regards
Ethan
As I have fibromyalgia I find it very hard to get a good night’s sleep but have now started taking Nytol 1 a night . I have been getting headaches rhe next morning and get very thirsty and dry mouthed. I also feel groggy in the am but still need something to get that so importany night’s sleep. I also have tried sour cherrry juice and Bach’s night rescue remedy
Hi Petra
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately this Nytol can give side effects to some people. Perhaps drinking some water before bed, and having water on the nightstand will help a little with the dry mouth and headaches in general.
Regards
Ethan
I recommend these tablets, as I suffer with insomnia either waking up after like 3 or 4 hours then not sleeping or not being able to sleep at night, ive had prescription drugs such as zopiclone which are great but has to be prescribed by your doctor.
Nytol works very similar in my experience not as strong but still helps me sleep and stay asleep so would recommend.
Some fuzziness the next day but nothing major in my experience o would try not take them everyday though as you will build up a tolerance.
Hi Daniel
Thanks for your comment and for sharing your thoughts. The fuzziness is something that I imagine some people will put up with more than others. But as you say, it’s a good idea not to take the Nytol regularly.
Regards
Ethan
I tried the none herbal Nytol last night it did help me sleep. I did wake in the night several times (as usual) but dropped off to sleep quickly again. I do like Nytol and would take it again but only when I’m desperate for a restful night sleep. I do feel groggy this morning and I have a dry mouth. I do think Nytol works well. Personally I wouldn’t take it for more than 3 nights. Just be careful with Nytol like you would be with any over the counter drug.
Hi Charmaine
Thanks for your comment. I think you’re right in not planning to take it on a regular basis. Even over the counter sleeping pills like this are best used only on occasion.
Regards
Ethan
I have insomnia and they don’t work for me if anything they have the opposite effect. On the search for new ones soon.
Hi Jaimie. As a life long insomniac I would love to compare notes if your up to it mate?
Im absolutely amazed to read these reviews, ive just chucked the remainder of my pack in the bin. I have chronic insomnia, i took a one per night Nytol last night, feel asleep for half an hour then spent the next six hours wide awake. Useless for me.
Hi Maggie
Thanks for sharing your experience. Shame they didn’t work for you – they unfortunately just aren’t right for everyone!
Regards
Ethan
I have been taking them for 2 weeks as my Dr has told me to stop alcohol completely for 6 weeks as I have raised liver enzymes. After that I need another blood test so I just need to know if nytol 50mg can also affect liver enzymes? Ps I’m sleeping like a log
Hi Pixie
Thanks for your comment. The Nytol leaflet warns not to take it if you have ‘moderate to severe liver disease’. Raised liver enzymes might not be excluded, but considering the mentioning of the liver at all, perhaps it’s best to check with your doctor that it’s safe?
Regards
Ethan
I am 69 yr old lady with chronic insomnia for 20 years. Doctor will not prescribe sleeping pills , have had many medical investigations and every type of therapy and over the counter stuff going with no effect. Have got through a busy life and manage everything BUT the loneliness and misery of being continually awake for hours during the night has been dreadful and of course lack of sleep takes its toll on general long term health . I dont know how I missed the ‘ blue ‘ Nytol pack but I started taking one 50mg tablet each night 2 HOURS before a reasonable bedtime which is 1am for me and have slept for an average of 6 hours every night since with no bad effects at all . Just the absolute joy of going to bed and immediately being asleep until I get up at about 9am. I have been taking them for a month now and pray that they will keep helping me and maybe train my mind and body to learn a proper sleep routine . Nothing else has ever done this for me .
Hi Tinamag
Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you’ve had such bad sleep problems – I can understand why discovering something that works finally must be great. One caveat would be to be careful not to become dependent on the Nytol. As you say, if you can develop a better sleep routine in the meantime, that would be the best outcome. Take a look at the sleep hygiene section on this site for lots of good advice if you haven’t seen it yet.
Regards
Ethan
Fair play Ethan, if you believe in that sleep hygiene (maybe you write it) but it’s bull.
Most on this thread are chronic non-sleepers and have heard that nonsense for donkeys.
Get the valium out please.
Cheers
Hi David
I believe in it because it worked for me, and sleep experts recommend it. Sure, on its own it won’t always help everyone. Buy every little bit helps, and I think it’s important we do what we can to improve our sleep naturally – especially because it will help many people.
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan,
“Sleep hygiene” definitely works for me. Especially getting the phone and any books out of the way.
I also find it helps to keep a tidy bedside table. I guess it’s the same as “tidy desk tidy mind”.
Very interesting to read your post and all of the replies, thank you.
Have you come across any connection with Nytol and circulation issues?
Best regards,
Jenny
Hi Jenny
The tidy bedside table is a great idea! I never thought about it in terms of sleep hygiene, but I instinctively like to keep mine tidy. Thanks for mentioning it in that light.
I haven’t personally seen a connection, but I haven’t looked for one either.
Regards
Ethan
Yes wanted to sleep. But was kept awake both times i used nytol with restless legs. Was walking around house in middle of night. They didnt agree with me.
Hi Max
Thanks for sharing your experience. Sound like they aren’t the right sleep aid for you!
Regards
Ethan
I’ve had restless legs with the Nytol one a night also.
I had taken Nytol a few times with no problem (not a regular user, just a few separate occasions) and had been fine. Then one time I was definitely a bit groggy in the morning. I took one the other night and had an awful experience. Realm struggled to wake up the next day (naturally, not even with an alarm) i was half awake half asleep and just couldn’t rouse myself, then when I finally did drag myself out of bed I lasted half an hour before I had to go back to bed and sleep it off some.more! I felt dreadful the entire day. That’s it for me – never again!
Hi Justine
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, some people can have that reaction to the Nytol. So if you do experience severe next day grogginess, it’s best to find an alternative I think.
Regards
Ethan
I broke my collar bone and wrist recently and after a week of sleeping or trying to sleep sitting up in a chair the sleepless nights had taken their toll. I was utterly exhausted and coping mechanism was non existent. I’d never tried sleeping tablets but decided I needed to try something. Theses were great as they didn’t interact with the cocktail of pain killers I was taking …. I can honestly say I slept solid for 5 hours after taking one and it was such a relief to finally get some sleep. I’ve been taking one every night now for a week and feel so much better for the sleep. I work night shifts and I’m a terrible sleeper at the best of times so for me I will definitely be keeping a box in from now on for those times when I’m desperate to sleep
Hi Sharon
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Nytol – I wish you a speedy recovery!
Regards
Ethan
I have a condition called Hyperparathyroidism, and one of the symptoms is severe insomnia. I have tried a few things, namely L-Trytophan, Valerian and sleep inducing herbal teas, none of which worked. Just recently though I have started taking Nytol One A Night, and they are working amazingly well. I drop off to sleep within 30 mins and wake up about 7 hours later. When I have my surgery in approx 6 months time, my insomnia should be cured, but up until then I will continue taking Nytol as as when I feel I need some restorative sleep.
Hi Jaclyn
Thanks or your comment. It’s great the Nytol is working so well for you! 6 months is a long time to take it for though, so probably better to use it only when needed, as you mention yourself.
All the best with the surgery and I hope it does bring you better sleep and health.
Regards
Ethan
Hi, I’ve been taking nytol one a night for a few months now, and I love how they work. I didn’t feel that fuzzy feeling after a few days and reckoned it was from my body needing more sleep. If I want to keep myself awake I can, it doesn’t make me sleepy, but once I lie down light off it sends me to sleep within half an hour. I have occasionally woken up in the night though. I did try the herbal nytol but it caused an awful reaction with anxious feelings, tingling hands, and high chest pressure. There is a 25mg nytol that I found worked occasionally but wasn’t strong enough. Perhaps if you only need a light aid it would be good though.
Hi Amy
Thanks for your comment. It’s great that you found a sleep aid that works well for you with the Nytol. I’d be cautious about using it for many months though. If you can get on top of your sleep patterns naturally and move away from the Nytol, that would be ideal.
Regards
Ethan
I’ve tried nytol many times. first few times worked very well but after repeated on/off use the results can be… mixed. They either knock me out cold like a mallet to the head or leave me needing to constantly urinate every twenty minutes to half hour. I’ve recently been struggling allot with sleep loss due to a bad tooth and again mixed results best case scenario they knock me out till about 5 or 6 in the morning then leave me needing to constantly urinate for the next two or three hours until its time to get up worst they don’t work and leave me constantly urinating again. the herbals taste horrid on the first occasion with my bad tooth they didn’t knock me out but they did calm me down and let me loose track of time for a bit. Sadly the effects only lasted a couple of hours so I’d need to keep taking them every couple of hours just to get a state of sort of pseudo sleep. After the first couple of nights the effects seemed minimal at best non existent at worst.
Hi Shaun
Thanks for your comment. It’s often the case with sleep aids that they either have less effect over time, or become as you say mixed in their results.
Regards
Ethan
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has been taking them regularly please to see if they are as good now as the first night.
I have taken them for years but only to catch up on sleep and for no more than two consecutive nights. Probably because I like the sleepy feeling of drifting off to sleep but you don’t seem to have that with these. I purposely use them when my body is run down due to lack of sleep and for that it works.
Having read the article, and most of the comments, they appear to infer the herbal, is for those who need assistance falling asleep and the one a night to keep one asleep. Dosage range is vast, as is the affect/effect of the medication. Most commenters have implied they have a relatively limited experience, or substantial time frames of using. In the article you indicated that it’s effect can wane long term, does this take the form of physiological dependency, or is it merely physiological resistance created by the adaptation of tolerance.
Also, as with most meds of this type, respiratory deficit precludes use of them. Is it a case of consult your doctor before use, or is it a prohibition. Also as it is antihistamine based, can it be used in conjunction with other allergen prohibitors? I found your article interesting and commend you on your blog, it makes a change to find one that does not merely add to the white noise cluttering their insomnia realms.
Hi Julie
Thanks for your comment and kind words. I’m pleased that the website has risen above the white noise!
I think anyone with a serious illness or condition should consult with their doctor before taking any kind of sleeping pill, and really, anyone who just isn’t sure if it would be safe for them. I wouldn’t personally mix any anti-histamines without a doctor’s consent either. In terms of the effect waning, I think it’s probably tolerance rather than dependency.
Regards
Ethan
Review use of imply/infer. They’re not the same word.
Indeed miss KL often the cycle needs to be broke in order to remove the head chasing tail phenomenon. From your writings you indicate the issue is more one of staying asleep than falling asleep. When selecting a remedy to try, seek out one developed to address this type of sleeplessness, also check up on the dosage, and the possibility of reducing it. Your comment appears to indicate you are taking 50mg per night, with just an 8 hour rest period, it could be that it has not worked itself out in the shorter time frame, leaving you in a position of moving through sludge. Hope you are able to achieve rested sleep soon, that does not compromise daily function.
Tried Nytol 1 a night, done what the packet said, so off to bed I went still wakened 2 hrs later. Tried a few nights later and had a great sleep, only the fuzzy head in morning puts me off. As a short term thing okay will only use occasionally.
Hi Rosie
Thanks for your comment. I agree that the fuzzy head means it’s ok from time to time, but probably not on an ongoing basis.
Regards
Ethan
Nytol and every other over-the-counter antihistamine type sleep aids are worthless. They cause heart palpitations (in my experiences with them). They also make me feel slow and tired the next morning. Prescription sleeping aids help me fall asleep and stay asleep. I wake up refreshed with no “hangover” like the over-the-counter sleep aids cause. Prescription sleep aids do not have acetaminophen or aspirin in them, so they will not harm your liver even if you take them every night. This cannot be said for many of the over-the-counter sleep aids. Many of them contain acetaminophen. That will destroy your liver overtime. All medications, OTC or RX have side effects. Balancing a good night sleep vs sleep deprivation is an easy choice. Use common sense and take what works for you.
Been taking Zopiclone,Zolpidem,Temazepam and Diazepam on and off for a couple of years.Never together i must add. I’ve dabbled with these for ages and whilst they work
my doctor (quite rightly) will only let me have them every now and then as these drugs are pretty heavy duty meds. Anyway after 2 years of taking them i decided to come off all of them as to be honest they are all very very addictive and have horrendous side effects. You are meant to taper them but me being me went cold turkey and just stopped suddenly.I knew i was in for a rough ride as have tried before and have always given in and gone back on them such is the pull and addictive effect of these meds.I swear giving up smoking was easier ha ha!
I went 5 nights in bed sweating,restless legs,rapid heartbeat etc all the withdrawal effects i knew i would be in for but was determined this time.A friend of mine said a more natural and definitely less ‘dangerous’ sleep aid are Nytol 1 a night.
I said ‘yeh yeh if its over the counter rubbish then it wont work and would be a waste of time’. I WAS VERY WRONG! I took 1 Nytol last night and wow! I slept like a baby for 8 hours and felt just fine the next day. I have spoken to my GP about them and she said if they work then carry on taking them as the long term side effects are almost zero. I never thought anything you could pick up in my local chemist without a prescription could be so good.Have just taken 1 so lights out for me now as its just gone 1 in the morning.I will report back in a few days to let you now how i’m doing with them.So glad im off all those other horrid drugs at last.Nighty night :)
Hi Jonathan
Thanks for your comment, and it’s great to hear you had such success with them. Before deciding to take them continually, I’d mention to your doctor that they are the anti-histamine version and not the valerian, just to see if they still think it’s ok to take them long-term.
Regards
Ethan
I started working night shifts. I found that my sleeping patterns were all over the place due to this. I would get home after work and my brain would not switch off for a few hours after getting into bed and trying to sleep. I tried the Nytol 1 a night and can not recommend them enough. I have read on here how some say that they dont make you feel sleepy but I have to disagree. Although they do not make you drowsy I find that my eyes do seem to get heavier.. I take them an hour before I want to go to sleep so by the time I get into bed it takes me 10 minutes and I’m asleep.With Nytol my brain just relaxes. I find using Nytol that I also sleep through the night. I get 8 hours minimum. Therefore they have my vote. Although I seem to have random dreams and nightmares on them. As for the morning after I can’t say I feel light headed or drowsy?? But maybe I’m use to them now but I only use them 3 times a week
Hi Zo
Thanks for your comment. It’s great that you find the Nytol helps you sleep so well. Lots of people get vivid dreams with some sleep pills, so it’s no surprise. I guess it’s up to you to decide if the trade-off for a good night’s sleep is worth it.
Regards
Ethan
I am a notoriously light sleeper and have a few good nights interspersed with many disrupted or very little sleep nights. I bought the Nytol one a night a few years ago and when I feel I really must get a good sleep I literally nibble the end off a tablet probably taking about just less than one quarter and it works brilliantly. I have no side effects once I am out of bed. However I originally tried the whole tablet and was completely unable to function properly for the whole day being in a complete fog! So like Wanda I feel dosage is import perhaps depending on your size – I am 45kgs. Hope this helps. Overall I am very pleased with Nytol but only take them when I am desperate to sleep.
Hi Margaret
Thanks for your comment. Yes, I think the dosage can make a big difference, and it’s not always necessary to take as much as the recommended dosage if you’re particularly sensitive to the ingredients.
Regards
Ethan
This is just to clarify, Nytol is NOT designed to act like a sedative but, rather to assist in getting a full nights sleep. It will not give you a sedated affect, if you are not already in the process of going to sleep. What I mean by this is, if you are watching tv, or something, waiting for it to “kick in”, you will be dissapointed. You should do as instructed (take it 20 mins before you GO TO BED). Once you are in bed, with your eyes closed, your natural sleep process will start (your body will start to release certain sleep chemicals, such as Melatonin), this is when Nytol will start to be effective. You should fall asleep quickly and sleep throughout the night but your body must start the sleep process in order for Nytol to be effective. Hope this helps!
Hi Paul
Thanks for your comment. Do you have an affiliation with the manufacturer, just out of interest?
Regards
Ethan
I first used Nytol after recovery from surgery. When I came off the prescribed painkillers (staged decrease), I found I was awake a great deal during the night. I felt ready to return to work but needed something to get a good sleeping pattern back. I purchased Nytol one a night 25mg and they worked form. On the third morning, I felt slightly thick-headed. And decided that was enough to assist my system in returning to normal.
Recently I experienced a few restless nights and decided to try half a tablet (12.5mg) and this was perfect, I slept well and no thick head. This happened again but this time I tried one third of a tablet (8.0mg) for three nights and this still worked for me. So now in future if I need to reset my sleep pattern I intend to use 25mg split over three nights. This is true, honestly!
Hi Wanda
Thanks for your comment. I think it’s good to work out what the minimum dosage is that works for you. If you can sleep well with less than the recommended amount, ultimately that’s great. You’re taking less medication and saving money!
Regards
Ethan
will taking nytol long term nonstop kill you?
Hi there
I don’t think that’s very likely, but it won’t be good for you to take it every day for a long time either.
Regards
Ethan
Ive tried nytol herbal not very strong for me so trying one a night today hoping this will work!! Good luck to everyone ?
Hi Alison
Thanks for your comment. How did you find them one a night worked?
Regards
Ethan
I tried a Nytol tablet to try to get some sleep on a long haul flight. I’d been working super long hours and was really wired. Unfortunately I had a terrible experience on Nytol and will never take it again! I couldn’t sleep, and had awful side effects. The dry mouth was horrid, my tinnitus increased, I got really twitchy and my vision was a little blurred. Seems I got many of the bad known effects with none of the good ones! I do react to some medications, so I guess in the future I’ll stick to what I know works!
Hi Flip
Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you had that reaction – that must have been very unpleasant indeed. I hope you find something that suits you better.
Regards
Ethan
I have such a similar experience to you yet the grogginess will last all day, my problem is if I take one and try to sleep i continue to wait to feel sleepy with no result so being a big guy with high tolerance I tried 2, ok this does eventually work but no assistance to nodding off but sleeps me right through to a set time of 4am religiously to go to the toilet, I go back to sleep but it’s unstable light sleep until 7am then I spend all day feeling like I have a hangover and my reactions and concentration is down 50%. I am aware that your body will only absorb so many antihistamine then becomes immune but 1 does nothing and 2 is noticeable with the mentioned side effects. Personally I prefer zopiclones and Valium have less issues.
So reporting back on yesterdays post. I took half of the 50mg sleeping pill and it seems to have worked. Dropped off to sleep, did take longer but did drop off, woke at 6am and I feel awake and ok. Yesterday’s drowsiness was awful so if you are struggling try halving your tablet.
Hi again
Thanks for popping back with the update! Sometimes a smaller dose can definitely be a better idea. I’d also have a think about my previous comment though as well.
Regards
Ethan
I take Nytol occasionally as I have an on going problem with my mother’s estate. It gives me the kick to get to sleep, and stops me lying awake thinking in circles about what may happen. However I do get very odd dreams, which usually involve something that I have an ongoing problem with, which is usual for dreams anyway. However they seem to be much more intense. I also do feel drowsy and listless in the morning.
Hi Gutridge
Thanks for your comment. Nytol can do that to you, for sure. Have you tried doing any relaxation exercises to help keep your mind calm at night?
Regards
Ethan
I’ve taken these for 2 nights, both nights i was still awake after 2 hours even after a busy day and a calm chilling evening. Still woke a few times in the night, waste of money.
Hi Michelle
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same experience with over the counter sleep aids. Perhaps you’ll have more luck with a different type.
Regards
Ethan
I also have been taking nytol for about 5 years on and off I suffer from anxiety my doctor also knows I take them, I switch between the herbal and the one a night depends on how anxious I feel or how tired I am ..I never take a full dose of one a night I split the tablet in half otherwise I would sleep for too long and have that groggy feeling so I rec split it in half and you will feel fine the next day but on a regular basis I do have a break from them so they still remain effective and started taking the herbal instead and they do help Id be lost without them x
Hi Fiona
Thanks for your comment. I think it’s a good idea to split the tablet if you find half does the trick for you, without leaving you feeling groggy.
Regards
Ethan
I’ve been taking these for a few nights now, and I’m pretty convinced they work, it’s just enough to stop my brain buzzing so much and allow me to drift off. However, each night I’ve had quite vivid dreams, and I wouldn’t call them nightmares but they’re pretty unpleasant. Just as a warning for those prone to things like nightmares, night terrors, and sleepwalking.
Hi there
Thanks for your comment. I agree that they do work, but for some people might not be ideal. If they do work well, with no side effects, then that are a potentially very useful sleep aid. But if you do have unpleasant dreams like you describe, it’s probably better to try something else.
Regards
Ethan
Thank you for your thourough description. It matches exactly what I felft the past for nights and days. The fuziness and pressure in the head is indeed a real problem for me and is also the reason why I shall stop taking this – I need to be able to work.
Hi Cecile
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you found the article helpful. It’s a shame Nytol can have that effect, as it’s otherwise quite an effective sleep aid. But if it stops you being able to work properly, it’s obviously not practical to use.
Regards
Ethan