3 Issues to Be Aware of When Considering Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids

Clinicians typically ask patients for a prescription drug history but may not always delve into patients’ nonprescription or over-the-counter drug history. But when it comes to sleep aids, it’s crucial for professionals to be aware of what herbal remedies, hormones, and other compounds your patients are ingesting in their quest for better sleep. Unbeknownst to patients, many OTC sleep aids can cause side effects on their own and/or pharmacodynamic interactions when taken with other over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Wallace B. Mendelson, MD, the author of the new book Understanding Sleeping Pills, shares 3 broad issues to be aware of with regard to nonprescription products.