Pharmacist advice
Trouble sleeping
Short-term trouble falling asleep is common. A steady sleep routine helps more than a sleep medicine for most people. This page does not start a prescription sleep medicine.
A pharmacist cannot prescribe for this from this page.
What usually helps
- Keep a regular bedtime, a dark room, and no caffeine late in the day.
- Diphenhydramine is an ingredient in some night-time products. It is not a good long-term sleep aid and can cause next-day drowsiness. Ask a pharmacist before using it.
Talk to a pharmacist first
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The person is under 12, unless the note below gives a different age.
- You take other medicines, or you have a long-term condition.
- Poor sleep most nights for more than a few weeks, or loud snoring with daytime sleepiness.
See a doctor or call 911
- Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or thoughts of harming yourself. Call 911 in an emergency.
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Reviewed by a BC pharmacist.