Comparison of Advil PM and Tylenol PM: Two Sleep Aids in Focus
For those seeking relief from minor aches and pains that disrupt sleep, over-the-counter medications like Advil PM and Tylenol PM can provide temporary respite. However, their long-term use for insomnia carries potential risks and side effects, primarily due to the antihistamine, diphenhydramine, used for its sedative effects.
Key Long-Term Risks and Side Effects
- Tolerance and Reduced Effectiveness: Diphenhydramine should not be used for more than 7 to 10 consecutive nights as users tend to develop tolerance, reducing its sleep-inducing effects over time.
- Impaired Sleep Quality: While diphenhydramine causes drowsiness, it can interfere with achieving deep, restorative REM sleep, potentially affecting overall sleep quality and leading to next-day drowsiness or cognitive impairment.
- Daytime Grogginess and Cognitive Effects: Common side effects include daytime grogginess, dizziness, and in elderly users, confusion and trouble urinating. These effects increase fall risk, especially in older adults.
- Avoidance in Certain Populations: Diphenhydramine should be used cautiously or avoided in children younger than 12 years and in older adults due to increased risk of adverse effects.
- Potential for Masking Underlying Conditions: Persistent insomnia lasting more than 2 weeks should be evaluated by a doctor, as it may indicate underlying medical issues. Relying on these medications long-term can delay proper diagnosis and management.
- Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Risks: For Tylenol PM (acetaminophen), long-term use at high doses risks liver damage. For Advil PM (ibuprofen), long-term use can lead to gastrointestinal, kidney, or cardiovascular issues, especially if taken above recommended doses or combined with other NSAIDs.
Usage and Precautions
Both Advil PM and Tylenol PM are not a long-term solution for insomnia and should not be taken for longer than 7-10 days. A person should not take Tylenol PM with other medications that contain acetaminophen or diphenhydramine. If pain is the bigger issue, people may try substituting either with another pain medication. If sleep issues are the main complaint, a person may consider a different OTC sleep aid.
Tylenol PM contains 25 mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and 500 mg of acetaminophen, while Advil PM contains 38 mg of diphenhydramine citrate and 200 mg of ibuprofen in tablets, and 25 mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and 200 mg of ibuprofen in capsules.
Before using either medication, people should consult a doctor or pharmacist if they also take aspirin for heart attack prevention, another sedative or sleep aid, another medicine that contains an antihistamine, a diuretic, or other prescription medications. If people take medications that could interact with Advil PM or Tylenol PM, they should ask their doctor about safe alternatives.
Before taking Tylenol PM, people should also speak with a doctor or pharmacist if they use blood thinners or other sedatives. Before taking Advil PM, people should consult a doctor or pharmacist if they are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking blood thinners.
Natural Sleep Solutions
For those seeking alternatives to medication, natural sleep solutions such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding naps after 3pm, starting a sleep ritual or bedtime routine, avoiding drinks later in the day that can disrupt sleep, such as caffeine and alcohol, avoiding screentime and bright light before sleep and while in bed, exercising regularly during the day but not before bed, avoiding large meals before bed, staying away from nicotine, keeping the bedroom comfortable and dark, and avoiding lying awake in bed for more than 20 minutes can be effective.
Important Considerations
A person should not take more than two pills of either Advil PM or Tylenol PM within a 24-hour period. If people experience an allergic reaction that causes breathing problems, they should seek emergency medical help. If people are at risk of developing side effects, they should see their doctor before taking either medication. A person should not take Advil PM and Tylenol PM together.
- If persistently experiencing insomnia, the underlying condition may require medical evaluation, as overuse of sleep aids like those in Tylenol PM and Advil PM can mask potential health issues.
- The predictive health effects of long-term diphenhydramine use in sleep medications might lead to impaired mental health, affecting both sleep and cognitive functions.
- Although over-the-counter medications like Advil PM may provide temporary relief from pain and encourage sleep, they can cause health concerns like stomach ulcers and kidney issues with prolonged use.
- Opting for natural sleep solutions, such as adopting a regular sleeping schedule, performing a bedtime routine, or eliminating excessive caffeine and alcohol intake could help improve overall health-and-wellness.
- For those using pain medications like Advil PM or Tylenol PM on a regular basis, it is crucial to remember the risks associated with their long-term use and consider exploring alternative aid options, such as prescription medications approved for chronic pain management.
