Can Unisom hurt my baby?
From an FDA perspective, Unisom has been generally considered safe for pregnant women. But, talk to your doctor before taking any medications. Together, you can discuss the medication's potential effects on your baby and ensure that it won't interact with other medications you are taking.
Unisom is considered safe to use during pregnancy by major medical groups, including the FDA and ACOG. “It's been around for a really long time,” says Bernstein, adding that studies have shown there's no legitimate concern.
How much Unisom is safe to take while pregnant? During pregnancy, it's generally considered safe to take the typical adult dose of Unisom. As a sleep aid, the recommended adult dosage of Unisom is one 25-milligram tablet around half an hour before bedtime.
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, decreased coordination, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Studies have shown that benzodiazepines, a type of sleeping pill, could raise the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age infants, and cesarean birth. Research has also raised the possibility that using these medications while pregnant could cause breathing problems in newborns.
Both Unisom (doxylamine) and B6 are safe throughout pregnancy, including in the first trimester.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) state that it is safe for women to take vitamin B-6 and doxylamine, either separately or as Diclegis, during pregnancy and that this combination has “no harmful effects on the fetus.”
Unisom is intended as a temporary sleep aid and should not be taken for more than two weeks. 3 If you need ongoing help falling asleep, speak to your healthcare provider.
How long does Unisom® last? The sedative action of Unisom® may last up to 6 hours.
There are also other over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids that are considered safe for occasional use in pregnancy, including Unisom, Tylenol PM, Sominex and Nytol, but always check with your doctor before taking these or any kinds of herbal preparations.
Who should not use Unisom?
People age 65 years and older have a higher risk of side effects from taking antihistamine medications like doxylamine (Unisom SleepTabs). Watch for changes in vision, severe dry mouth, trouble urinating, or constipation.
Unisom® SleepMinis® contain diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, which is also the active ingredient in Benadryl. Unisom SleepMinis should be used only as directed for relief of occasional sleeplessness.
Other over-the-counter sleep medications, such as Unisom SleepTabs, contain 25 mg per pill of an antihistamine called doxylamine succinate. These medications work by blocking certain brain chemicals, which can have a sedating effect.
Antihistamines that can make mom drowsy, such as doxylamine succinate, could cause drowsiness or irritability in a breastfeeding infant.
In fact, somewhere between 66% and 94% of pregnant women have trouble sleeping. Luckily, Benadryl and Unisom SleepGels (diphenhydramine) are safe OTC medications to help you get to sleep a little easier.
- ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors.
- angiotensin II antagonist.
- isotretinoin (an acne drug)
- alcohol.
- cocaine.
- high doses of vitamin A.
- lithium.
- male hormones.
Unisom Sleep Gels is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up. Taking too much Unisom Sleep Gels can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has recommended a combination therapy of vitamin B6 and doxylamine, which is sold over the counter as Unisom SleepTabs, for treating morning sickness in the first trimester.
Francis. Other sleep aids considered safe by the FDA include Unisom and Nytol. Only use these over-the-counter medications short-term and sparingly while pregnant, and always consult your doctor beforehand.
Doxylamine and pyridoxine are pregnancy compatible drugs, consistent with FDA's safety assessment of the combination product. They have been categorized by the FDA as a category A drug (no evidence of risk to the fetus).
What does B6 do for pregnancy?
Vitamin B6 is often prescribed for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), at much higher doses than initially recommended. Large doses of vitamin B6 have been associated with cases of neuropathy.
*Or can try the following instructions for Unisom/B6. 25mg of Vitamin B6 Instructions: Unisom 12.5mg (half of 25mg) and 25mg Vitamin B6 at NIGHT.
Those who try to quit sleep medication may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, and an inability to sleep. They may also be confused, depressed, and/or experience cravings and seizures. Unisom withdrawal can also be challenging.
Melatonin: Melatonin is considered one of the safest over-the-counter sleep aids, with few side effects. A prescription drug called ramelteon is designed to mimic the effects of melatonin. Like melatonin, it is not considered habit-forming and it does not affect balance.
The bottom line. People sometimes use antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate, to combat insomnia. These over-the-counter medications are OK for occasional use in most people. However, they may increase the risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease if taken long term.
When it comes to Unisom®, you can rest assured that our sleep remedies are non-habit forming and designed to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed, when used as directed.
Keep in mind that many over-the-counter sleep aids contain an antihistamine, such as ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) and Unisom (doxylamine). And as discussed above, antihistamines may cause weight gain.
Directions: Adults and children 12 years of age and over: take one tablet 30 minutes before going to bed; take once daily or as directed by a doctor. Children under 12 years of age: do not use.
- Go to Bed Drowsy.
- Eat a Snack.
- Practice Relaxation Exercises.
- Take a Warm Bath.
- Read a Book.
- Get Out of Bed.
Doxylamine succinate–pyridoxine hydrochloride delayed release combination is safe and well tolerated by pregnant women when used in the recommended dose of up to 4 tablets daily in treating nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Can I take a sleep aid every night while pregnant?
Sleep Aids and Pregnancy
Other sleep aids considered safe by the FDA include Unisom and Nytol. Only use these over-the-counter medications short-term and sparingly while pregnant, and always consult your doctor beforehand. What's more, you should never take prescription sleep aids without talking to your OB, says Dr.
Unless directed by provider, taking more than 1 tablet of this medication in a day can increase your risk of side effects, such as excessive sleepiness. Can doxylamine (Unisom SleepTabs) be used long term? This medication should only be used for short-term (2 weeks) treatment.
Unisom Sleep Gels is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up. Taking too much Unisom Sleep Gels can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.
Many insurance plans will not pay for these however, so check before picking this prescription. For nausea and vomiting take Vitamin B6 and Unisom tablets as directed below: May take Vitamin B6 25 mg up to 3 times a day alone.
References
- https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/antihistamine-for-sleep
- https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/unisom-and-b6
- https://www.drugs.com/mtm/unisom-sleep-gels.html
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/unisom-pregnancy-5224090
- https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/safe-medications-to-take-while-pregnant
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-10525/unisom-doxylamine-oral/details
- https://unisom.ca/en/faq
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/drugs-medication-and-birth-defects
- https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/medication-education/medication-weight-gain-side-effects
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/are-drugstore-sleep-aids-safe
- https://fherehab.com/learning/tips-quit-using-sleeping-pills
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582681/
- https://www.unisom.com/en-us/sleep-hub/staying-asleep/which-unisom-product-is-right-for-you-and-when
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17130022/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391332/
- https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-body/is-it-safe-to-take-sleeping-pills-during-pregnancy_1246859
- https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/is-it-safe-to-take-sleep-aids-while-pregnant/
- https://www.thebump.com/a/unisom-pregnancy
- https://eastcascadewomensgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NAUSEA-AND-VOMITING-IN-PREGNANCY-2019-update-replacing-2015.pdf
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/doxylamine-and-insomnia-3015179
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/insomnia.aspx
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324672
- https://www.unisom.com/en-us/sleep-aids/sleep-tabs
- https://www.unisom.com/en-us/sleep-aids/sleep-minis
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/how-to-use-sleep-medications-safely
- https://www.verywellfamily.com/is-it-safe-to-take-unisom-vitamin-b6-for-morning-sickness-5188544
- http://www.omahaobgyn.com/images/forms/nauseaandvomiting_%20inpregnancy.pdf
- https://www.goodrx.com/doxylamine/what-is
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyridoxine/doxylamine
- https://www.verywellfamily.com/ways-to-cope-with-pregnancy-insomnia-2760019