Pharmacy shelves have been flooded with drugs and herbal remedies that claim to help make sleep a reality for the 62 percent of Americans who have trouble snoozing on a regular basis. Here’s a roundup of the well known and the weird.
ZzzQuil
Claim: ZzzQuil boasts diphenhydramine HCl for sleep but leaves out the drugs to treat colds and pain that are found in NyQuil. It’s available in capsule or liquid form.
Price: $9.99 for 24 liquid capsules and $5.99 for 6-ounce liquid bottle at walgreens.com
iChill Relaxation Shot
Claim: About the size of a 5-Hour Energy, iChill promises the opposite effect—without grogginess or a hung over feeling. Melatonin, a chemical the body produces naturally for sleep, is one of the active ingredients.
Price: $5.49 for a two-pack at CVS Pharmacy
NasalAid SleepAid strips
Claim: These thin strips contain melatonin and menthol, meant to soften throat tissues. The product claims to ease snoring and promote restful sleep.
Price: $7.69 per 30-tab box from supplier silvereaglelabs.com
Nature’s Bounty Maximum Strength Melatonin
Claim: A drug-free natural product that improves the quality of sleep. It’s also recommended to help treat jet lag.
Price: $14.99 at Walgreens
MidNite tablets
Claim: Chewable or dissolvable, the pills can be taken during the night if an individual wakes up and can’t get back to sleep.
Price: $9.99 for 30-tablet pack at cvs.com
Neuro Bliss
Claim: Chamomile, B vitamins, vitamin D and other supplements combine to provide relaxation in this lightly carbonated drink. The company also makes Neuro Sleep specifically for bedtime.
Price: $30 for a 12-pack at amazon.com
Natural Vitality Natural Calm Powder
Claim: The powder, mixed with water, is a magnesium and calcium supplement that claims to relieve stress and provide calm, making it easier to sleep.
Price: $40.95 plus shipping from vita minshoppe.com
Sominex
Claim: Uses diphenhydramine similar to other over-the-counter sleep meds on the market.
Price: $6.99 at cvs.com
Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Tea
Claim: The chamomile tea boasts valerian root as an ingredient, which is an herbal remedy that is supposed to help with sleep.
Price: $3.99 for 20 bags at jewelosco.com
mswasko@tribune.com | @mickswasko
