Antihistamines and Sleep
Antihistamines are a common component in sleeping aids, such as promethazine, the active ingredient in Sominex.
This blog explores how antihistamine sleeping tablets work, what antihistamines are and why they’re used to help resolve short-term sleep problems.
What are antihistamines?
Antihistamines are commonly used in medications that help relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses.
They’re particularly popular during the high pollen seasons of spring and summer – March to September – when hay fever symptoms peak.
These medications work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical produced by the immune system in response to allergens.
The antihistamine promethazine, the main ingredient in Sominex, is also found in some cold and flu products.
Antihistamines also used in some travel sickness medications to treat nausea.
Antihistamines generally fall into two categories, non-drowsy – and therefore less likely to make you feel sleepy – and drowsy, or sedating, antihistamines.
While many people turn to non-drowsy antihistamine treatments to manage allergy symptoms which are often worse in the daytime, those with a drowsiness side effect such as promethazine has led to their use as an antihistamine to help you sleep.
What are the potential benefits of antihistamine sleeping tablets?
Because certain antihistamines cause drowsiness, they’ve been licenced as short-term antihistamine sleep aids like Sominex, which contains promethazine.
As an antihistamine sleep aid, it’s used for short-term sleep problems to correct temporary disturbances of sleep pattern such as difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep.
Promethazine is fast-acting and starts to work within 15-30 minutes.
Before using medication containing an antihistamine to help you sleep, it’s a good idea to try some self-help techniques to induce sleep naturally and form long-term healthy habits:
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
• Limit screen time before bed.
• Create a calming bedtime routine – activities like reading, meditation or a warm bath can help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down.
• Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and heavy meals late in the day.
Sominex sleep tablets
Available without a prescription at pharmacies and online, Sominex tablets are designed to relieve occasional sleeplessness and can be taken up to an hour after going to bed when you can’t sleep.
They shouldn’t be used for more than seven days in a row and you should speak to your GP if you experience repeated bouts of sleeplessness.
Sominex Sleep Aid (Promethazine). Night time sleep aid. Contains promethazine hydrochloride. Always read the label.
