Don't take ZzzQuil every night. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can take ZzzQuil and at what dosage. In general, taking this medication only from time to time should keep side effects to a minimum. Talk to your doctor if you think this medication isn't helping you sleep.

ZzzQuil - Better Sleep for All.

Our PURE Zzzs line uses the active ingredient melatonin, which is a hormone that occurs naturally in your body. While each have been shown to be safe and effective, you should choose the product that works best for you and your body.

To summarize, melatonin is a safer choice to treat insomnia than Zzzquil or Tylenol PM. If your insomnia is more moderate, you may want to try Zzzquil, and if you're also dealing with acute pain or fever, then you may want to try Tylenol PM, but be careful to follow the directions and avoid overusing these drugs.

Anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics (applies to ZzzQuil) depression. Major Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility.

Diphenhydramine also causes drowsiness, and can be used by adults and children 12 years of age and older who occasionally have trouble sleeping (insomnia). The effects of diphenhydramine can last for up to 6 hours. If you have trouble sleeping, do not take this medication for more than a few nights in a row.

This drug can often cause excitement in young children instead of drowsiness. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, constipation, or trouble urinating. Drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.

ZzzQuil Nighttime Sleep Aids are great to use on those occasional sleepless nights and can help you fall asleep in as little as 20 minutes. The active ingredient in ZzzQuil is Diphenhydramine HCl, which helps you sleep soundly so you wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

It is typically safe for adults to take melatonin every night for short periods of time.

“If melatonin for sleep isn't helping after a week or two, stop using it,” says Buenaver. “And if your sleep problems continue, talk with your health care provider. If melatonin does seem to help, it's safe for most people to take nightly for one to two months. “After that, stop and see how your sleep is,” he suggests.

Common side effects

• Feeling sleepy or tired in the daytime. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way.
• Headache. Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Stomach ache.
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Feeling dizzy.
• Feeling irritable or restless.
• Dry mouth.
• Dry or itchy skin.

The active ingredient in ZzzQuil is diphenhydramine, which is also the active ingredient in the allergy medication Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that people commonly use to treat allergic reactions, itchiness, and hives. The most common side effect of diphenhydramine is drowsiness.