OTC Sleep Aid Comparison: Find the Right One for You

When you can’t fall asleep, an OTC sleep aid, a non-prescription medication used to help with short-term insomnia. Also known as sleep medication, it’s often the first thing people reach for when they’re tired of lying awake. But not all of them work the same—or are safe for everyone. Some knock you out fast. Others gently nudge you toward sleep. And some? They leave you groggy the next day, or worse, mess with your heart or memory. The real question isn’t whether you need help sleeping—it’s which one actually fits your body and lifestyle.

Most OTC sleep aids, over-the-counter products designed to improve sleep onset and duration. Also known as sleep aids, it fall into three main groups: antihistamines like diphenhydramine and doxylamine, natural supplements like melatonin, and herbal blends. Diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine found in Benadryl and many sleep tablets. Also known as Benadryl, it works by blocking histamine, which can make you drowsy—but it also dries your mouth, blurs your vision, and can cause confusion in older adults. Doxylamine, another antihistamine, often used in Unisom and similar products. Also known as Unisom SleepTabs, it lasts longer than diphenhydramine, which might be good if you wake up at 3 a.m., but bad if you need to drive or work the next morning. Then there’s melatonin, a hormone your body naturally makes to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Also known as sleep hormone, it. It doesn’t force sleep—it just tells your brain it’s time. That’s why it’s better for jet lag or shift work than for chronic insomnia. It won’t knock you out, but if your body’s clock is off, it can reset it.

What’s missing from most labels? Dosage accuracy. Some melatonin pills have 5 mg, 10 mg, even 20 mg—way more than your body ever makes. Studies show 0.3 to 1 mg is often enough. And many products mix melatonin with herbs like valerian or chamomile, but there’s little proof they work better than a placebo. If you’re taking other meds—blood pressure pills, antidepressants, even antacids—some OTC sleep aids can interact badly. One wrong combo and you could end up with low blood pressure, slowed breathing, or worse.

You don’t need to guess which one to try. Look at your sleep problem: Do you fall asleep fast but wake up too early? Try melatonin. Do you lie awake for an hour? Diphenhydramine might help—but skip it if you’re over 65. Do you need something that lasts? Doxylamine could work, but plan for a sleepy morning. And if you’ve been using these for more than two weeks? You’re probably masking something bigger—stress, sleep apnea, anxiety. The right OTC sleep aid isn’t about the strongest dose. It’s about the one that fits your life, your body, and your real reason you can’t sleep.

Below, you’ll find real comparisons of the most common OTC sleep aids—what works, what doesn’t, and which ones to avoid based on actual user experiences and medical data. No fluff. Just what you need to choose wisely.