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.