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Insomnia
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==== Antihistamines ==== As an alternative to taking prescription drugs, some evidence shows that an average person seeking short-term help may find relief by taking [[over-the-counter]] [[antihistamines]] such as [[diphenhydramine]] or [[doxylamine]].<ref name="BBDinsomnia-2">{{Cite journal |author1=Consumer Reports |author1-link=Consumer Reports |author2=Drug Effectiveness Review Project |author2-link=Drug Effectiveness Review Project |date=January 2012 |title=Evaluating Newer Sleeping Pills Used to Treat: Insomnia. Comparing Effectiveness, Safety, and Price |journal=Best Buy Drugs |pages=3, 8, 11 |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/InsomniaUpdate-FINAL-July2008.pdf |access-date=4 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209122641/http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/InsomniaUpdate-FINAL-July2008.pdf |archive-date=9 December 2013 }}</ref> Diphenhydramine and doxylamine are widely used in nonprescription sleep aids. They are the most effective over-the-counter sedatives currently available, at least in much of Europe, Canada, Australia, and the United States, and are more sedating than some prescription [[hypnotic]]s.<ref name="drugbankDB00366">{{cite web | url = http://www.drugbank.ca/cgi-bin/getCard.cgi?CARD=DB00366.txt | work = DrugBank | id = DB00366 | title = Doxylamine | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091203012047/http://www.drugbank.ca/cgi-bin/getCard.cgi?CARD=DB00366.txt | archive-date=3 December 2009 }}</ref> Antihistamine effectiveness for sleep may decrease over time, and [[anticholinergic]] side-effects (such as dry mouth) may also be a drawback with these particular drugs. While addiction does not seem to be an issue with this class of drugs, they can induce dependence and rebound effects upon abrupt cessation of use.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lie JD, Tu KN, Shen DD, Wong BM | title = Pharmacological Treatment of Insomnia | journal = P & T | volume = 40 | issue = 11 | pages = 759β771 | date = November 2015 | pmid = 26609210 | pmc = 4634348 | doi = }}</ref> However, people whose insomnia is caused by restless legs syndrome may have worsened symptoms with antihistamines.<ref>{{cite web|title=Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet {{!}} National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke|url=https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet|website=www.ninds.nih.gov|access-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728021833/https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet|archive-date=28 July 2017}}</ref>
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