Evidence supporting the use of: Doxylamine succinate
For the health condition: Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Doxylamine succinate is an antihistamine commonly used as an over-the-counter sleep aid in products such as Unisom. Its sedative properties stem from its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and antagonize central histamine H1 receptors, which are involved in the regulation of wakefulness. There is substantial scientific evidence supporting its efficacy in the short-term treatment of insomnia and sleep disturbances. Multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that doxylamine succinate can reduce sleep latency and increase total sleep time compared to placebo. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and other clinical guidelines acknowledge the short-term use of first-generation antihistamines like doxylamine for occasional insomnia, though they caution against chronic use due to the risk of tolerance, anticholinergic side effects (such as dry mouth, urinary retention, and cognitive impairment), and next-day sedation. While doxylamine succinate is not considered the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, its use in supporting sleep, particularly for transient or situational sleep disturbances, is backed by both clinical practice and scientific research. However, long-term safety and efficacy data are limited, and non-pharmacological interventions are generally preferred for persistent sleep disturbances.

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Other health conditions supported by Doxylamine succinate

Insomnia
Morning Sickness
Nausea and Vomiting
Sleep (restless and disturbed)

Products containing Doxylamine succinate

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