Getting a good night’s sleep can be a real challenge, especially for people whose health gets them out of bed to urinate many times each night. Men with prostate problems often find themselves in this situation. One reader is struggling to find a solution.
Is Advil PM Risky for Nightly Use?
Q. I have sleep and prostate problems. I take one Advil PM each night, along with Crestor to control cholesterol and Unisom for insomnia.
I am convinced that the Advil helps relax my prostate and limits me to one bathroom visit per night. I can’t tolerate side effects from prescription drugs such as tamsulosin (Flomax) and finasteride (Proscar).
Is Advil dangerous if taken regularly? In the past, one of my urologists recommended Motrin to reduce my nightly bathroom visits.
How Prostate Problems Affect Sleep:
A. Men with an enlarged prostate often find it more difficult to empty the bladder completely. This means that they may need to get up several times a night to urinate. We understand how much that can disrupt sleep.
There is some evidence to suggest that nighttime NSAID use may reduce trips to the bathroom (Urology, Oct., 2008). Ibuprofen, the ingredient in Advil and Motrin, is an NSAID, and therefore may well be helpful in this regard.
The downside is that regular use of such drugs may reduce kidney function or increase the risk of stomach irritation and ulcers, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
What About the PM Part of the Medication?
We also worry about the double dose of diphenhydramine (DPH) you are getting by taking both Advil PM and Unisom. It can make people feel sluggish in the morning and may affect brain function.
DPH is an anticholinergic medication. We usually urge older people to limit their use of such drugs as much as possible, since regular use can contribute to memory difficulties and confusion. You can learn more about anticholinergic medicines here.
A Handful of Raisins?
Since you don’t tolerate tamsulosin or finasteride, which are often prescribed for symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, you are in a difficult dilemma. Several readers report that eating a small handful of raisins shortly before bedtime can reduce nighttime waking for urination. We can’t guarantee anything, as no one has studied this offbeat home remedy. It is inexpensive and low risk enough to try, though.
