Q. I am desperate for a good night’s sleep, but I hate sleeping pills. They make me too groggy the next day.
Benadryl makes me absolutely stupid if I take it in the daytime. If I took it at night, would it leave me feeling hung-over? Do you have any other recommendations?
A. Millions of people take the compound in Benadryl, diphenhydramine (DPH), to get to sleep. It is the “PM” in many popular nighttime pain relievers such as Tylenol PM and Advil PM.
Some people find such OTC medicines helpful for occasional use, though the benefits may wear off over time. Not everyone gets a morning hangover from DPH, but some people experience confusion, drowsiness and impaired judgment. We are sending you our Guide to Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, with our Dos and Don’ts and suggestions for non-drug options.
