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OTC sleeping pills that don’t cause weight gain

I have really bad trouble sleeping, some nights it can take me 8+ hours of lying in bed not doing anything before I will get to sleep and it never takes me less than 2-3 hours. But a lot of the things you can get over the counter that are meant to help with insomnia have weight gain as a side effect.

I’ve tried sleapeaze and phenergan (both anti-histamines) but they gave weight gain as a side effect so I’m extremely reluctant to take them long term. I’ve also tried melatonin pills but they make me extremely nauseated and I threw up most mornings (helpful to avoid weight gain though lol). I’m thinking of trying melatonin patches because you can buy them online but what else could I try that you don’t need a prescription for and won’t cause weight gain?
Reply 1
Original post by Anonymous
I have really bad trouble sleeping, some nights it can take me 8+ hours of lying in bed not doing anything before I will get to sleep and it never takes me less than 2-3 hours. But a lot of the things you can get over the counter that are meant to help with insomnia have weight gain as a side effect.
I’ve tried sleapeaze and phenergan (both anti-histamines) but they gave weight gain as a side effect so I’m extremely reluctant to take them long term. I’ve also tried melatonin pills but they make me extremely nauseated and I threw up most mornings (helpful to avoid weight gain though lol). I’m thinking of trying melatonin patches because you can buy them online but what else could I try that you don’t need a prescription for and won’t cause weight gain?

Two things can suggest (1) A cold shower just before going to bed. Helps sleep. (2) Slow Release Natrol Melatonin 3mg workd for me.Also best take the Melatonin 1/2 hr before bed ,NOT during day. With Patches not sure whether that release during day, which you do not want.
Original post by Anonymous
I have really bad trouble sleeping, some nights it can take me 8+ hours of lying in bed not doing anything before I will get to sleep and it never takes me less than 2-3 hours. But a lot of the things you can get over the counter that are meant to help with insomnia have weight gain as a side effect.

I’ve tried sleapeaze and phenergan (both anti-histamines) but they gave weight gain as a side effect so I’m extremely reluctant to take them long term. I’ve also tried melatonin pills but they make me extremely nauseated and I threw up most mornings (helpful to avoid weight gain though lol). I’m thinking of trying melatonin patches because you can buy them online but what else could I try that you don’t need a prescription for and won’t cause weight gain?

Weight gain, headaches, nausea, fatigue etc are standard side effects that all medications report, primarily because they are so common in humans that stye can't be stripped out of any drug trials. Anti-histamines per se, don't create weight gain - otherwise bad hay fever sufferers would be like balloons every summer!

In fact, looking them up, neither of sleepeaze or phenergan list weight gain as side-effects. Phenargen specifically says its for short term use.

I doubt any OTC sleep medication actively causes weight gain without the user just eating more and/or doing less.
Reply 3
Original post by threeportdrift
Weight gain, headaches, nausea, fatigue etc are standard side effects that all medications report, primarily because they are so common in humans that stye can't be stripped out of any drug trials. Anti-histamines per se, don't create weight gain - otherwise bad hay fever sufferers would be like balloons every summer!
In fact, looking them up, neither of sleepeaze or phenergan list weight gain as side-effects. Phenargen specifically says its for short term use.
I doubt any OTC sleep medication actively causes weight gain without the user just eating more and/or doing less.

On the leaflet inside the box it has weight gain as a “rare side effect” that can affect up to 1 in 1000 people
Reply 4
Original post by Anonymous
On the leaflet inside the box it has weight gain as a “rare side effect” that can affect up to 1 in 1000 people

Ah thanks thats good to know actually as someone I know is taking for insomnia. Infact they do say that if you take Antihistamines too regularly the effects wear off and do not help sleep,. Maybe after a month ,I guess.
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by Anonymous
On the leaflet inside the box it has weight gain as a “rare side effect” that can affect up to 1 in 1000 people

Rare, up to, 1 in 1000. Look at the side effects for paracetamol, and other everyday medicines people take. Then take a more considered view of the risk and reward here.

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