Unisom is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid that is used to help relieve insomnia and improve sleep quality. Unisom comes in SleepTabs, SleepGels, and SleepMelts. It's important to note that that while SleepGels and SleepMelts contain diphenhydramine HCl as the active ingredient, Unisom SleepTabs contain doxylamine succinate as the active ingredient. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine both work in similar ways, but this article will focus on Unisom SleepGels and SleepMelts.
When it comes to Unisom and pregnancy, it's important to be aware of the potential risks and to consult with a healthcare professional before taking it.
Unisom SleepTabs, or doxylamine, has been qualified as pregnancy category A by the FDA, meaning that there's a substantial amount of safety data for the use this drug during pregnancy. Unisom SleepGels and SleepMelts, which contain diphenhydramine, are classified as a category B medication by the FDA. This means that the medicine is believed to pose no risk when used during pregnancy, but risk can't be ruled out.
Regardless of the type of Unisom you want to take, always check with your doctor before taking this drug.
How Does Unisom Work?
Diphenhydramine enters the bloodstream and binds to histamine receptors in the brain. By binding to these receptors, Unisom blocks the action of histamine and causes a sedative effect. This sedative effect can help to promote sleep by reducing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing the amount of time spent in deep sleep. The ingredient is also commonly used to relieve allergic symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy/watery eyes.
As mentioned above, Unisom containing diphenhydramine is available in a soft gel and dissolvable tablet. It's recommended to take the pill around 30 minutes before bedtime. The usual dose is one pill as needed for sleep. it's important to follow the dosing instructions on the package and not to exceed the recommended dose.
Can I Take Unisom While Pregnant?
While Unisom is considered safe for use during pregnancy when used as directed, it's important to be aware of the potential risks. For example, taking high doses of Unisom can cause excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. Additionally, taking Unisom for an extended period of time can lead to dependency and can cause rebound insomnia, which is difficulty sleeping again once the person stops taking the medication. Consider trying other methods to sleep first, like using brown noise, sleep sounds, or meditation.
It's also important to note that Unisom should not be used as a substitute for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Good sleep hygiene, which includes regular exercise, avoiding caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine can have a positive impact on sleep quality.
What’s Next?
Looking to explore another melatonin brand? Cabinet Sleep Aid is a great alternative to Unisom SleepGels and SleepMelts. In fact, medicines from Cabinet Health are:
Curated by Experts: Physicians and pharmacists worked together to provide you with common products you may need. These products are among the best of what’s out there.
Rigorously Tested: All of our factories are FDA-audited, ensuring world-class manufacturing processes and healthy sourcing. After leaving our factories, your medicine goes straight to a Valisure laboratory where each batch is tested for purity, safety (safe from carcinogens and impurities), and gluten (medicines are gluten-free). Believe it or not, this is not a common practice in healthcare!
Better for the Environment: Cabinet has developed the first, and only, non-plastic packaging in pharmaceuticals to address the 194 billion single-use plastic bottles produced by the industry each year. In addition to sustainability in packaging, we invest in plastic offsetting for any plastic still produced in our supply chain, while also providing carbon neutral shipping for all of our customers.
