Advil PM ($13.99 for 120 caplets) contains two active ingredients, ibuprofen (200 mg) and diphenhydramine citrate (38 mg) in each caplet. However, the instructions say to take 2 caplets at bedtime, so the dosages would be doubled. Vicks ZzzQuil ($13.49 for 48 caplets) contains one active ingredient, diphenhydramine hydrochloride (25 mg) per caplet. Once again, the instructions say to take 2 caplets at bedtime. A quick Google search reveals that diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier easily. It's also a CNS depressant, so that's why these drugs are good for putting you to sleep. In contrast, the Up&Up melatonin ($6.99 for 240 tablets) contains one active ingredient, melatonin (5 mg) in one tablet. The recommended dosage is only one tablet.
Overall, I think it would be best to stick with melatonin for occasionally sleeplessness. There is less chance of developing a dependence and the overall cost per pill is significantly less for melatonin. Melatonin also comes in different dosages, like a 3 mg and 10 mg option, so can be tailored to an individuals sleeping needs. I realize there are people who hate taking pills, so at least ZzzQuil also offers a liquid alternative that those people could use. However, I have never seen a TV commercial for melatonin tablets, but as I said earlier, I'm seeing more and more for brand name sleeping aids like Advil PM and ZzzQuil. I'm sure people will continue to support the more expensive product, even though the natural alternative most likely works better for falling asleep.
I've used melatonin to help with sleeplessness for a long time now, and I don't think I'll ever use any other actual sleep aids. Melatonin is a hormone that your body already produces, so taking extra melatonin isn't messing with your body's chemistry and putting weird drugs in your system, but just helping the natural sleep cycle move along. I have talked to a couple people who have said melatonin tablets don't really help them, so in that case I can understand trying other sleep aids but personally I'll just stick to the natural (and cheap!) solution
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what the difference was between natural melatonin and the Advil PM and ZzzQuil. I too take just generic melatonin when I need it because it is naturally produced in the body and I don't feel drowsy or groggy the next day as I have when I took Nyquil or Advil Cold and Sinus. That being said, I have always thought of Advil and Nyquil as brands for when you aren't feeling well, which I find it difficult to buy them on the regular. I think that it is great that these companies are offering alternative methods for sleep aid, but will consumers really trust these alternative products when they are already well known for a different purpose?
ReplyDeleteNice job! I've wondered about the differences between these medications as well. I think it's interesting to see the business aspect of it all, especially how each of them are marketed and advertised and also how they are portrayed to the public and how they get out there. As a pre-pharm student, that aspect is very interesting to me and I'd love to get deeper into it
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