--- title: "Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Addiction? | Sutter Health" description: "Can you become addicted to over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM?" url: "/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151" --- 1. Home / 2. Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Addiction? # Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Addiction? * * * Medically reviewed by - Caroline Schreiber, M.D. ## Question Can you become addicted to over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM? ## Answer Sleep loss is a problem for millions of Americans. But sleeplessness doesn't have to be a way of life. Regarding over-the-counter products, the active ingredient of over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM, Benadryl and Unisom is diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. It is generally safe and non-addicting. There are certain people who should be cautious with using it, such as the elderly, those with asthma and those with enlarged prostate, as these people may have significant side effects. Ask your doctor if diphenhydramine is safe for you. Tylenol PM, specifically, has acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) combined with diphenhydramine. Acetaminophen, when taken in large doses, can potentially affect the liver so should be used judiciously. Benadryl, Unisom and Sominex, for example, do not contain acetaminophen, only diphenhydramine. As with any sleep aid, diphenhydramine should not be mixed with other sedatives or alcohol. Keep in mind that requiring a sleep aid to fall asleep is not the same as being chemically dependent on, or addicted to, a medication. If you do require a sleep aid on a long-term basis, you should talk to your doctor about the best way to manage your insomnia. ## Explore related topics AddictionSleep DisordersSleep ## Related questions View all questions - Health Q&A ### Natural Remedies for Insomnia What are some natural remedies you can take to improve sleep and to reduce frequent waking up at night? - Health Q&A ### Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcohol Dependence I only drink a glass or two of wine a day, but I have a very hard time giving this up. Does that mean I'm an alcoholic? - Health Q&A ### Alcohol Consumption and Addiction Is drinking hard alcohol more likely to contribute to addiction than wine or beer? - Health Q&A ### Ambien and Memory Loss I have to take Ambien for sleep a few times a month and notice that I don't remember certain things that happen after I've taken the Ambien. Is this normal? - Health Q&A ### Causes of Insomnia Since my 20s I've had insomnia. Now in my 40s, the insomnia has been unremitting. When I do sleep, I often wake up drenched. OTC sleep aids and herbal remedies don't help. I exercise and eat a healthy diet. What else should I consider? View all questions ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Addiction?"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#medicalwebpage","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151","name":"Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Addiction?","description":"Sleep loss is a problem for millions of Americans. But sleeplessness doesn't have to be a way of life.","inLanguage":"en-US","medicalAudience":{"@type":"MedicalAudience","audienceType":"Patient"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#breadcrumblist"},"mainEntity":{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#question","name":"Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Addiction?","text":"Can you become addicted to over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#answer","text":"Sleep loss is a problem for millions of Americans. But sleeplessness doesn't have to be a way of life. Regarding over-the-counter products, the active ingredient of over-the-counter sleep aids like Tylenol PM, Benadryl and Unisom is diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. It is generally safe and non-addicting. There are certain people who should be cautious with using it, such as the elderly, those with asthma and those with enlarged prostate, as these people may have significant side effects. Ask your doctor if diphenhydramine is safe for you. Tylenol PM, specifically, has acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) combined with diphenhydramine. Acetaminophen, when taken in large doses, can potentially affect the liver so should be used judiciously. Benadryl, Unisom and Sominex, for example, do not contain acetaminophen, only diphenhydramine. As with any sleep aid, diphenhydramine should not be mixed with other sedatives or alcohol. Keep in mind that requiring a sleep aid to fall asleep is not the same as being chemically dependent on, or addicted to, a medication. If you do require a sleep aid on a long-term basis, you should talk to your doctor about the best way to manage your insomnia.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151","author":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#expert"}}},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization"},"reviewedBy":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#expert"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-addiction-1051061151#expert","name":"Caroline Schreiber","honorificSuffix":"M.D."} ```