According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it's estimated that 8.4% of adults in 2020 used sleep medications in the last 30 days either every day or most days to help them fall or stay asleep. Whether it's the stress of daily life, the glow of screens, or the constant chatter of thoughts, there's no lack of factors that can disrupt our sleep.
Effects of Lack of Sleep
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society, a consensus was developed that adults should sleep 7 hours or more at night regularly. Additionally, consistently getting fewer than 7 hours of sleep each night is linked to negative health effects.
Short-term Effects | Long-term Effects |
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What is Unisom?
Unisom (manufactured by Sanofi) is the brand name for several sleep-aid formulations that are available as softgels, capsules, tablets, and dissolvable tablets. It is used for short-term management of sleep difficulties in persons 12 years of age and older. Active ingredients can consist of antihistamines diphenhydramine or doxylamine, with varying types of inactive ingredients. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine and promoting sleep through sedative effects. Doxylamine typically has longer-lasting sedative effects.
Unlike prescribed medications for sleep, Unisom sleep-aids are non-addictive or habit-forming. Unisom PM Pain is different than the others since it contains a combination of diphenhydramine and acetaminophen. The acetaminophen is added to provide minor pain relief.
Precautions
Unisom is a product that is generally considered safe and effective when taken as directed, but it is recommended to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking new medications. Some precautions are:
Drowsiness: Avoid with alcohol
Dizziness and dry mouth
Glaucoma
Trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate
Consult with your doctor or pharmacist before use during pregnancy and lactation
Consult with your doctor if lack of sleep persists for longer than 2 weeks with the use of Unisom
Diphenhydramine is included in the Beers Criteria List due to its potential adverse effects in older adults (over 65 years old).
Available Unisom Products
Medication | Active Ingredient | Strength | Is it Animal-Free? |
Unisom SleepGels | Diphenhydramine HCl | 50 mg | No (Gelatin) |
Unisom SleepMinis | Diphenhydramine HCl | 25 mg | No (Gelatin & Lactose) |
Diphenhydramine HCl | 25 mg | Yes | |
Doxylamine Succinate | 25 mg | Yes | |
Diphenhydramine HCl & Acetaminophen | 25 mg & 325 mg | Yes |
Unisom vs. Benadryl vs. Others
There are no differences between the diphenhydramine in Unisom, Benadryl, or generic versions. Diphenhydramine (Unisom, Benadryl) is the most popular sleeping aid trusted by pharmacists in 2023. It is essential for Alpha-gal patients and the most talked about medication within alpha-gal social media platforms. It is not recommended to take multiple diphenhydramine products together, due to the increased risk of side effects. Similarly, it is also not recommended to take doxylamine with diphenhydramine simultaneously.
The pharmacists at VeganMed are proud to bring you a certified animal-free diphenhydramine! We prefer this one because it has the same active ingredient with animal-free inactive ingredients. This is a safer, kinder, and more inclusive choice.
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Diphenhydramine Product | Benadryl (diphenhydramine) | ||
Manufacturer | Johnson & Johnson | Sanofi | GenCare (Pioneer Life Sciences) |
Animal-Free? |  |  | |
Certified Animal-Free? | | | |
Conclusion
Histamine is a natural chemical produced by the body that is important in regulating our sleep-wake cycle and cognitive function. Antihistamine sleep-aids, such as Unisom, are readily available over-the-counter (OTC) for short-duration use as needed. Because finding an animal-free sleep-aid can be difficult (fun fact: there are over 1,000 diphenhydramine containing products available!), our team has done the research to bring you a certified animal-free diphenhydramine!
CALL TO ACTION
This is a great opportunity for Unisom (by Sanofi) to embrace label transparency. As a reminder, please comment on this FDA Citizen Petition, requesting clear labeling of animal-derived ingredients in medications. Together, we can make a difference.
Co-authored by: Tureye Abdulla
Verified by: Jasmine Uchi, PharmD
Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.
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Thank you for your awareness and concern for animal-derived ingredients
If you have any further questions about ingredients in your medicines and supplements, feel free to reach out to the VeganMed team!