Nytol Tablets (Original & One-A-Night)

What is Nytol and what is it used for?

Nytol Original and One-A-Night are sleeping tablets that are effective in giving temporary relief from sleeplessness, otherwise known as insomnia.

Both Nytol Original and One-A-Night contain the active ingredient diphenhydramine, a drowsy antihistamine. When Nytol is taken 20 minutes before bed it helps you to fall asleep more quickly and promotes a less disturbed sleep.

Nytol tablets are:

• Clinically-proven sleeping aid tablets, ideal for the short term relief of sleeplessness or insomnia.
• Easy to swallow and suitable for children and adults over the age of 16.
• Perfect for helping you to initiate and maintain sleep, leaving you feeling revitalised the next morning.
• The UK’s favourite sleeping aid tablets.
• Available through The Independent Pharmacy with next-day delivery after a short online consultation.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is another term for the inability to get to sleep or to stay asleep. Many people will experience insomnia at some point in their life and it can have many different causes.

Some causes of insomnia may be:

• Stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions.
• Caffeine or other stimulating substances or activities before going to bed.
• Sleeping environment
• Physical health conditions
• Some medication

The NHS website offers useful sleep advice. Some people find that making small lifestyle changes can help them get more rested nights sleep.

If you want more information about insomnia, take a look at our Insomnia Advice & Treatment page.

Nytol for anxiety

Nytol is used as a sleeping aid for those that struggle to sleep. Sleep disturbances or insomnia can have many different causes.

Anxiety, stress and depression are known to cause sleeplessness and therefore Nytol can be used in the short term to help you get a good night's sleep. Nytol should not be used for more than 2 weeks.

Nytol does not, however, help to treat anxiety. If you are suffering from stress or anxiety that is causing you to lose sleep, you must discuss treatment and support options with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does Nytol work?

Nytol Original and Nytol One-A-Night contain the antihistamine diphenhydramine hydrochloride.

Nytol helps to promote restful sleep. The diphenhydramine works by blocking the histamine receptors inside your brain which has a sedative effect. This process makes you feel less alert and produces drowsiness, helping you get a good night's sleep.

You may have heard of, or taken, antihistamines such as cetirizine or loratadine for hay fever or other allergies before. These should not be taken as a sleeping aid. They are known as non-drowsy antihistamines which work by blocking antihistamine uptake but outside the brain where it has no little effect on drowsiness.

Does Nytol work and how long does it last?

Nytol takes around 30 minutes to start to make you feel drowsy. It is therefore recommended that for optimal effect Nytol tablets should be taken 20 minutes before you go to bed.

The effects of Nytol usually last around 4-6 hours, meaning they help you sleep soundly through the night but wake up feeling refreshed.

Nytol side effects and is Nytol safe?

Like other medications, Nytol may cause some people to experience unwanted side effects but these side effects are usually mild when taken as directed. For more information please see our side effects section on this page.

Nytol and alcohol

You should not take Nytol at the same time as alcohol as this can increase your chances of experiencing unwanted side effects.

Nytol in pregnancy

If you are experiencing sleeplessness in pregnancy or while breastfeeding you should discuss this with a doctor or pharmacist before taking Nytol.

Nytol overdose-is it possible?

Nytol Original and One-A-Night should only be taken as directed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you take over the stated dose of Nytol this is called an overdose. Taking too much Nytol is likely to increase unwanted side effects and can in some cases be life-threatening. If you have accidentally taken too much Nytol you should seek medical advice straight away.

Sominex or Nytol

Both Sominex and Nytol are brands of sleeping tablets that contain antihistamines that make you drowsy to promote sleep. Both tablets you can buy without a prescription here at the Independent Pharmacy.

The difference between the two brands of sleeping tablets is that Sominex contains the antihistamine promethazine hydrochloride whereas Nytol contains diphenhydramine.

Sominex and Nytol work in the same way and have similar side effects associated with taking them. It is recommended that with both medications you do not take them for more than 2 weeks. If you are unsure about which medication to take, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Kalms or Nytol

Some people may prefer to try using herbal medication to help them sleep. Kalms is a brand of herbal sleeping tablets that contain the ingredient valerian root.

Unlike Nytol, which contains an antihistamine that makes you drowsy, Kalms use valerian root, this has a mild sedative effect that decreases anxiety making you feel more relaxed, aiding a better night's sleep.

Sources

• https://www.nytol.co.uk/nytol-range/nytol-one-a-night
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diphenhydramine/
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/cetirizine-vs-diphenhydramine.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/
• https://www.kalmsrange.com/kalms-range/kalms-night-one-a-night/
• https://www.drugs.com/sfx/nytol-side-effects.html

Nytol dosage

Before taking Nytol Original and Nytol One-A-Night, please ensure that you have read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly for full details of the directions for use.

• Nytol is suitable for children and adults over the age of 16 years who have difficulties sleeping.
• This product is to only be taken orally with a drink of water

Nytol Original 25mg tablets: Take 2 tablets 20 minutes before you go to bed.

Nytol One-A-Night 50mg tablets: Take 1 tablet 20 minutes before bed.

Nytol should only be used for the short term treatment of sleeplessness and should not be taken for more than 2 weeks. If you are continuing to suffer from sleep difficulties after 2 weeks you must discuss this with your doctor.

Nytol for kids

Nytol should only be taken by children and adults over the age of 16 years. Children often struggle to settle and often wake during the night. The NHS website offers helpful guidance with techniques to help your child sleep better. Alternatively, speak to your doctor or a nurse for support and advice.

How many Nytol can I take?

You must take Nytol tablets as directed in the patient information leaflet.

How long does Nytol take to work?

Nytol Original and Nytol One-A-Night should be taken at least 20 mins before bed as it takes around 30 mins for the active ingredient diphenhydramine to take effect. After this time you should start to feel drowsy, helping you to get to sleep more quickly and stay asleep throughout the night.

Nytol ingredients

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the product packaging thoroughly before taking Nytol, to ensure you are familiar with the full list of ingredients.

Nytol contains the active ingredient: Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride (Original: 25mg / One-A-Night: 50mg).

Other ingredients include: Anhydrous lactose.

Nytol side effects

For a full list of side effects please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

In the same way as other medication, Nytol may cause some people to experience some unwanted side effects. If you are concerned about side effects or your side effects do not go away after you stop using Nytol please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction as a result of taking Nytol you should seek immediate medical assistance from your nearest emergency department.

Nytol Original and One-A-Night most commonly are associated with following side effects:

• Tiredness and drowsiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth

Nytol hallucinations - are they real?

In very rare cases, people have reported experiencing hallucinations as a side effect of taking Nytol.

The reports from people who have experienced hallucinations as a result of taking Nytol, most commonly occur in those that have taken over the stated dose of this product.

It is important, with all medications, that they are taken as instructed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Nytol warnings

For a full list of warnings and precautions please read the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the product packaging thoroughly.

• Nytol may become less effective in helping you sleep if used regularly.
• You should speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Nytol if you have a diagnosed respiratory condition, liver or kidney disease.
• Do not drink alcohol when taking Nytol.
• Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Nytol if you take any other medications, including other over the counter antihistamines.

Is Nytol addictive?

Nytol can cause addiction and it also can become less effective as a sleep aid if used every day for more than 2 weeks. For this reason, it is not advised that you take Nytol for more than 2 weeks.

If you are continuing to struggle with sleeplessness after 2 weeks you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist about support and treatment options.

Nytol & Pregnancy

It is not recommended that you take Nytol during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding. If you are finding it difficult to sleep at this time you should speak to a doctor, pharmacist, nurse or midwife for advice.

Nytol & driving

Nytol is used to increase drowsiness to help you sleep, it is therefore not recommended that you drive or operate heavy machinery after you have taken it.

Nytol starts to work after 30 minutes and lasts for around 4-6 hours. However, if you continue to feel drowsy the next morning you should not drive until this effect has worn off.