11 best sleeping pills without a prescription

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

As you know, a person spends a third of his life in a dream, and therefore it is natural that a good and full sleep is a guarantee of full wakefulness. That is why pharmacies have a large number of different prescription and over-the-counter sleep medications. And if a prescription for a sleeping pill is difficult to get, then OTC sleeping pills can be purchased at almost any pharmacy and at any price. Consider what are the most popular and effective OTC sleeping pills in tablets, in liquid form in syrups and drops, and what are the common folk methods that can be quite inexpensive. Finally, in conclusion of the rating, we will consider a rather controversial group of sleeping pills that are not recommended to buy, or, in any case, you should not start to fight insomnia with their help.

Rating of the best sleeping pills without a prescription

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best OTC Sleeping Aids in Pill and Capsule Forms	1	Melaxen	451 RUB
	2	Glycine	94 r
	3	Donormil	293 r
	4	Persen – Forte	374 r
The best over-the-counter sleeping pills in drops and syrup	1	Corvalol	175 RUB
	2	Novo – passite	196 r
	3	Tincture of Evasion Peony	42 RUB
The best sleeping pills and infusions, folk remedies	1	Phytosedan sedative collection No. 2	RUB 78
	2	Melissa infusion	89 RUB
	3	Chamomile infusion, honey, milk and lemon juice	–
	4	Sleeping pillow and bouquet	–

Best over-the-counter sleeping pills in pill and capsule form

Let's start the ranking of popular over-the-counter sleeping pills with tablets. Of course, tablets are absorbed much more slowly than syrups, tinctures and drops, but it is among the tablets that the most potent OTC sleeping pills are found. And let's start the rating of popular pills with Melaxen, an agent that regulates circadian rhythms.

Melaxen

Rating: 4.9

Melaxen can be bought at almost any pharmacy, but it is a fairly effective drug. It is known that humans have a pineal gland, or pineal gland. The pineal gland produces a special hormone, melatonin, which regulates the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness, otherwise it is called the sleep hormone. The influx of melatonin into the bloodstream in a normal, healthy person is drowsy and calming. Therefore, the preparation contains an artificial synthetic hormone melatonin in the amount of 3 mg in one tablet. It is a complete analogue of natural melatonin, which is synthesized from plant materials.

Taking one pill speeds up going to bed and improves the quality of dreams, night awakenings are less common, and there are no unpleasant sensations in the morning. Taking melatonin is indicated not only for insomnia, but also for restoring circadian rhythms, for example, when flying quickly to a sharply different time zone, when the so-called jet lag effect manifests itself. It is necessary to use Melaxen half an hour before the planned sleep. Patients are advised to take no more than 1 tablet, and for a planned flight to a different time zone, the drug should be started one day before the flight and within 3-5 days after it. You should take no more than 2 tablets per day. You let this sleeping pill American company Unipharm, incorporated, and a minimum package of 12 tablets will cost you, starting from 500 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

In the body, synthetic melatonin degrades very quickly, and therefore it is almost impossible to cause an overdose effect. Good sleep does not occur because the drug circulates in the body during the night. On the contrary, when the patient falls asleep, the body no longer has melatonin. That is why physiological, normal sleep occurs. Therefore, a very important plus is full wakefulness after waking up, including the ability to drive a car. But this drug also has contraindications. These are pregnancy and lactation, severe liver and kidney damage, blood diseases, autoimmune pathology. It is important that while the treatment is taking place, it is undesirable for the patient to sunbathe, stay in bright sunlight, and in women Melaxen can cause a weak contraceptive effect, therefore it is not recommended when planning pregnancy.

Glycine

Rating: 4.8

Glycine is the simplest amino acid that we absorb with various protein foods. But in a purified form, it is capable of acting on the so-called GABA – ergic structures of the brain, in which it is a mediator of inhibitory action. Glycine is available in simple tablets and for sublingual (sublingual) use and should only be used at bedtime. To improve the absorption of the drug, you need to put a tablet or two under the tongue, and slowly dissolve. Glycine has a sweet taste, and some even like it. Glycine is produced by a very large number of companies, the dosage of the drug in one tablet is about 0.1 g, and a pack of 100 tablets costs no more than 80 rubles. It is the most popular effective tablet formulation for mild sleep disorders.

Advantages and disadvantages

Since Glycine is a part of many proteins and circulates in our blood, it is almost impossible to overdose, and even more so to poison with the drug. Along the way, if applied during the day, it has a mild sedative effect, relieves symptoms of anxiety and is able to improve memory, especially during times of stress. It is widely used in various fields of medicine. The disadvantages of glycine include the fact that it is not able to cope with truly severe sleep disorders. But at the same time, the cost of sleeping pills is quite low, which leads to its widespread use. As for special sublingual tablets, 50 pieces in one package can generally be bought for 20 rubles. This is truly the most popular and popular drug.

Donormil

Rating: 4.7

This agent belongs to the outstanding representatives of histamine receptor blockers. The antihistamine effect of this drug is mainly aimed at the appearance of general drowsiness, since its antiallergic effect is extremely weak. It is sold in regular and effervescent tablets, and is quite powerful against the rare attacks of insomnia that can sometimes occur in healthy and strong people. Donormil, or doxylamine succinate, should be used immediately before bedtime by dissolving one effervescent tablet in a glass of water or by taking one regular square tablet. The drug is not indicated for regular use, you can buy a pack of 10 tablets for 125 rubles, and it is produced by the French company Bristol Myers Squibb.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps the most unpleasant side effect of Donormil is a heavy and unpleasant sensation in the morning, heaviness in the head, drowsiness during the day. That is why it cannot be used by those persons who will drive in the morning. In addition, Donormil has common unpleasant phenomena that are common to all antihistamines. These are dry mouth, possible disturbances and delay in urine outflow, palpitations and other effects. Since Donormil, taken together with other drugs, can have various effects, it is necessary to consult a doctor before the first intake. You should also avoid drinking alcohol during treatment. As for the benefits of Donormil, the tablet, taken in an effervescent form, acts quickly enough and puts a person to sleep even when Glycine does not work. Donormil is much stronger.

Persen – Forte

Rating: 4.7

Persen – Forte is a fairly mild herbal tranquilizer. It is with this drug that one can recommend starting to treat mild sleep disorders. It is formulated with extracts of valerian, mint and lemon balm and is an OTC sleeping pill available in brown capsules. In addition to sleep disturbances, Persen – Forte can be used for anxiety, neuroses and increased excitability. For the typical case of insomnia, it is recommended to take one capsule, on average, 40 minutes before bedtime. This drug is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company LEK from Slovenia. The cost of one package of the drug in 40 capsules averages 320 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of Persen-Forte is its good hypnotic effect in the event that insomnia is associated with nervous experiences and increased excitability of the nervous system. In other cases, it may not be effective. It is also very good that the next morning after waking up, you can safely sit behind the wheel, the drug does not develop addiction, and it does not interact with other medications. Disadvantages – it should not be used in patients with various liver lesions, cholelithiasis and diseases of the biliary tract. Also, it should not be taken by lactating and pregnant women, and children under 12 years of age.

The best over-the-counter sleeping pills in drops and syrup

All sleeping pills from this group are characterized by a faster action than tableted sleeping pills (except for the effervescent tablets of Donormil). But these drugs themselves are much milder, and they are all indicated for mild to moderate forms of insomnia. Perhaps the most popular remedy that exists today in general of all the drugs included in this rating is Corvalol, aka Valocordin, aka Valoserdin.

Corvalol

Rating: 4.

Corvalol is a unique drug, the only one on the domestic market that contains the anticonvulsant compound, phenobarbital, and is sold without a prescription. And that is why it is able to compete with much more serious sleeping pills, and its low cost makes it even more popular. In order to improve your sleep, you need to drip 20 to 40 drops into a small amount of water and drink it just before bed. In addition to insomnia, this hypnotic is indicated for neuroses, irritability and attacks of heartbeat, or tachycardia. In addition to phenobarbital, Corvalol contains isovaleric acid ester. That is why Corvalol has a characteristic specific aromatic smell of valerian. Corvalol is produced by a lot of domestic companies, for example Pharmstandard. A standard 25 ml bottle of this sleeping pill can be purchased for only 15 rubles. Of liquid dosage forms, this is the cheapest and most popular remedy.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Corvalol is, in the opinion of many, a rather characteristic smell, and this aroma in itself is already able to calm and induce the desire to sleep. But at the same time, this smell is quite stable, and by this aroma you can immediately recognize the apartment where it is constantly used. In addition, the solvent in the preparation is ethyl alcohol, of a fairly high strength – up to 80%. That is why Corvalol is contraindicated for people suffering from chronic alcoholism, as well as while driving vehicles and when working with machines and mechanisms. There is abundant conclusive evidence that Corvalol can be used as an alcohol substitute. This sleeping pill is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, children, as well as patients with severe liver and kidney damage.

Novo – passite

Rating: 4.

According to the pharmaceutical nomenclature, Novo-passit belongs to sedatives and hypnotics of herbal origin. In addition to sleep disturbances, this medicine helps with tension headaches, urticaria and itching, neurasthenia and anxiety disorder. This OTC sleeping pill contains extracts of valerian and lemon balm, hawthorn and passionflower, hops and elderberry. In addition, Novo-Passit contains guaifensine, which has anti-anxiety effects. This solution can be taken orally undiluted, or diluted in a little water. Adults are recommended 15 ml of the product in three doses during the day. Novo-Passit is produced by the Czech company Teva, (not to be confused with the Israeli one). You can buy one 100 ml bottle for 160 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps the main disadvantage is the state of daytime sleepiness, as well as an alcohol base, which prevents driving and is contraindicated in patients with alcohol dependence. Guaifensin, which is part of the drug, is not well tolerated by everyone. It can cause tremors in the hands, in which case the medication should be discontinued. In case of an overdose, drowsiness and depression may occur, and it should also be borne in mind that during treatment it is necessary to limit the sun's rays falling on the skin, since St. John's wort, which is part of it, can cause sunburn. This sleeping pill is contraindicated in myasthenia gravis, and can interact with other medications, alcohol intake enhances the effect of this remedy.

Tincture of Evasion Peony

Rating: 4.

Peony tincture is a monocomponent sedative. It contains peony herb extract infused with 10% alcohol. It also contains roots and rhizomes. Therefore, the finished product is fragrant and sweetish in taste. The tincture has an antispasmodic, sedative and sedative effect. In addition to sleep disorders, this drug is used for anxiety, excitability, various spasms, and even for various diseases of the ovaries. It is necessary to use the drug in 30-40 drops before meals, diluted in 50 ml of boiled water. The course of admission is usually 10-15 days. This is a fairly cheap product, and a 25 ml bottle can be purchased for only 15 rubles. Many domestic pharmaceutical factories produce peony tincture, for example Tula, Tverskaya, and many others.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of this remedy is its low cost, mild and complex action, and the disadvantages are that this action is rather weak and does not occur immediately. In case of sleep disorders, the effect may occur no earlier than after 5-7 days of regular use.

The best sleeping pills and infusions, folk remedies

Speaking of sedatives and over-the-counter drugs to improve sleep, one cannot fail to mention such a form as various teas, decoctions and infusions. There is no 100% sleeping pill on sale, but there are drugs that, in combination with liquid dosage forms or with tablets, can have a fairly strong effect. The advantage of using these teas is the absence of chemical compounds entering the body.

Phytosedan sedative collection No. 2

Rating: 4.

There are several official herbal preparations of the Phytosedan family, but the most popular sleep aid is Sedation No. 2. It comes in filter bags for brewing and contains licorice root, valerian, peppermint leaves, hops and motherwort. When brewed, this herbal combination has a soothing, relaxing and antispasmodic effect. It is used, in addition to insomnia, with increased nervous excitability. Usually 2 filter bags are placed in a kettle and brewed with half or a glass of boiling water. Then the bags are squeezed out, and they drink it like tea. Long-term use is recommended, in the morning and in the evening half an hour before meals. In some cases, you can drink a glass of the drug an hour before bedtime. The collection is issued in boxes of 50 sachets, and it costs about 60 rubles. Like most phytopreparations, it is produced by the domestic company Krasnogorskleksredstva.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Fitosedan include a natural effect, a relaxing tea brewing procedure, and the ability to reduce smooth muscle spasms. The disadvantages include the need to brew the herbal infusion, it must be prepared immediately before use, and drunk hot or warm, which is not always convenient. But in the event that it is combined with glycine, it is possible with small means to achieve a good result, and the onset of a light and soft sleep.

Melissa infusion

Rating: 4.

In summer, in summer cottages, you can find a well-known plant – lemon mint or lemon balm. It also helps relieve cramping, soothes, and the essential oil contains bioflavonoids that help you sleep. You can pick a few fresh lemon balm leaves and brew them in a teapot like regular tea. After infusion for 20 minutes, you can simply add 100 ml of this infusion to regular green weak tea. The hypnotic effect of this will be small, but for mild sleep disorders, this will be sufficient.

Advantages and disadvantages

The undoubted advantage of fresh lemon balm will be its freshness, as well as the aroma of a freshly prepared infusion containing essential oils. The disadvantage can be considered an insufficiently pronounced hypnotic effect, but if you take in mind the completely free self-made sleeping pill, this can really be considered a plus.

Chamomile infusion, honey, milk and lemon juice

Rating: 4.

An infusion of pharmacy chamomile with a teaspoon of fragrant honey, or a warm glass of milk, also drunk with a teaspoon of honey before bed, is a wonderful folk remedy for soothing and the onset of a light and pleasant sleep. It is recommended for 10 days to drink a glass of milk with honey at night, half an hour before bedtime. It is also recommended to take Pure honey, diluted in half with apple cider vinegar. By taking one teaspoon before bed, you can expect to fall asleep quickly and firmly. The advantage of this composition is the ability to take it in the middle of the night again upon awakening. There are many folk recipes using honey. So, for example, you can mix equal parts honey and lemon juice. Take a tablespoon of this mixture at night and washed down with lemon balm tea, Phytosedan – you can also achieve rapid falling asleep and physiological sleep.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of all folk remedies is their mild action and relative safety, the absence of pronounced contraindications and overdose effects. As for the really proven effectiveness, it can be low, different, and fluctuate depending on the composition of the medicinal raw material.

Sleeping pillow and bouquet

Rating: 4.

There can hardly be anything nicer than a 'long-lasting' sleeping pill, not only completely over-the-counter, but DIY, and leading to long-awaited sleep. This is a pillow with a sleeping pill. For this, a dense cloth is taken, and stuffed with dried hop cones, crushed valerian rhizomes, at the beginning they can be dried and crushed so that the particles are small and they do not prick. You can add Bogorodskoy herb or thyme, oregano, St. John's wort and yarrow, medicinal sage and dried peppermint to the herbal pillow.

Such a pillow will be the most unpretentious and reliable tool, a faithful assistant in order to induce a good sleep, even with the help of conditioned reflexes. And if you combine the action of a pillow with herbs, honey, sleeping pills, then in more than 50% of cases you can do without drugs at all. To further enhance the hypnotic and sedative effect, you can pluck a bouquet of valerian flowers and place them at the head of the bed. Despite the fact that medicinal valerian flowers are completely nondescript, they exude an aroma characteristic of a plant, which itself causes a hypnotic effect. If it's winter outside, then you can put a small container at the head of the bed, or a glass, into which hot water is poured, and 5-10 drops of valerian essential oil are dripped.

Anti-rating, or how not to lose money in vain

Finally, it is necessary to mention a whole group of supplements whose main purpose is your money. These 'sleeping pills' share some common 'weird' properties that can and should alert you:

1. the mention that this is an exclusive development, the development of domestic scientists, the development of closed military institutes, a new generation of tools, a completely unique composition, and so on;
2. mention of completely natural ingredients;
3. the ability to buy it only on the manufacturer's website, and the presence of aggressive advertising on it – a screaming abundance of discounts, bonuses, a lot of reviews if it is impossible to insert your comment, a blinking clock with a countdown of the end of the grace period, and so on;
4. a statement that the drug is suitable for absolutely everyone, from babies to very old people;
5. the tool will certainly help, and in just one step, but better – a course;
6. the need for long-term use of the drug, for example, for a month in the absolute absence of any contraindications and side effects, and during the year it is better to conduct 3 – 4 – 5 courses;
7. the presence of scans of documents, conclusions of 'sleep institutes', 'leading professors';
8. suspiciously high cost – about 1000 rubles and more.

We saw that in the ratings of over-the-counter drugs that have a hypnotic effect or improve sleep, the vast majority of prices do not exceed 150-200 rubles, and herbal remedies are very cheap. Pay attention to such suspicious drugs if you come across them in your search for acceptable remedies, and do not fall for the bait. And then, in any case, your sleep will be, if not better, then not worse, because insomnia will not torment you from the realization of the amount wasted.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.