what over the counter drug can be taken to help me  stay awake?
476140
No-doze (caffeine pills), anything that says decongestant (which includes sudafed), methylxanthines in chocolate, nicotine gum. Be cautious and avoid energy pills - there any many variations of the now-illegal ephedra which is seriously dangerous.\n\nGood luck!
1109839
All the pills over-the-counter have Benadryl (diphenhydramine) in them and do usually cause a hangover. If your sleeping is a big problem- check with your doc. There a bunch of new sleeping pills out there that work well and don't have as much for side effects. I know that one is recommended to be taken after you are already in the bed............
102056
Take green coconut water - its excellent for this problem. Take pomegranate juice regularly. Take cold milk in small quantities.\n\nAvoid acidic food like tomatos, chillies, vinegar, tea, coffee, etc.\n\nDont remain awake for long hours in night.
1162063
I have a few suggestions for you...\n\nI have insomnia and problems sleeping and staying asleep etc, due to a head injury, so I've tried nearly everything to get myself to sleep.\n\nFirst off, if you're in bed and you're not sleeping, get out of it and do something else. Try to keep your bed as a "sleep only" area. \nThat way, when you get in the bed again, you associate it with sleep.. and not like paperwork or phonecalls, etc.\n\nSecondly, tea or warm anything helps sometimes. There's actually a specific tea out there that I found at Albertsons, made by Celestial Seasonings, called Sleepy Time EXTRA. And there's a red flag that says "VALERIAN MAKES IT EXTRA!". Valerian root is a natural sedative. Taken in low doses I have found that it calms, or, in a tea such as the Sleepy Time (It's Chamomile Mint I think, really good with a little honey) it puts ya right to sleep. (high dose)\n\nThere's also another natural sleep aid called Kava. My mom found it in the healthfood store (Rainbow Market) in a little drink called Elixr. The bottle says to drink the whole thing, but I tried just one tablespoon and I was out like a light. I did some research on it, and apparantly the more frequently you take it, the higher dosages you'll need to be able to sleep. (http://www.elixirtonics.com/)\n\nAnd of course there's sleeping pills. Walgreens has "Tylenol PM". That works, or "Simply Sleep", which is essentially the same thing. But it was nice because it did not have me feeling groggy and ridiculous or hung over in the morning. I just woke up feeling refreshed.\n\nYou could also consider prescription sleeping pills. I just got an Ambien prescription... I tried it once and hated it though, guess it works differently for different people, etc. I was miserable all night and felt unrested and a prisoner in my own body. Like my body was dead, couldn't move, but my mind was racing. I was overheating and sweating and couldn't do a damn thing about it. So.. I haven't decided if I hate that or not, I'll have to give it another shot, but I'm hesitant to even bother... \n\nReading helps too.\n\nOr turn on the radio on a quiet channel, or a soothing cd or something, and get it nice and dark and before ya know it, it's time to wake up. It really works.  Just don't put on a station or something that you'll be singing along with, it doesn't quite work out.\n\nAnd sometimes I go in the yard and just breathe. The darkness and the cold air makes me want to bundle up in my bed and usually I just knock right out. Sometimes with a little coaxing from a warm drink too. (non alcoholic of course)\n\nWell then I heard some people drink (alcohol) to relax and calm down and eventually sleep but that's apparantly highly unrecommended.\n\nI always fall asleep on my side with the pillow even under my neck. Maybe you're having trouble with either your pillow or your sleeping position? I read online somewhere that sleeping on your back is bad for people that are prone to snoring who have sleep apnea, because it's harder to breathe and it's not a restful night if they even get to sleep. And I also read that sleeping flat on the belly isn't that great either because your neck is craned to one side, and could lead to neck problems. \nIf you're a belly sleeper, maybe try sleeping with one leg up so that you're not totally flat on the bed. It will also make it so that your neck isn't completely craned to the side, and the pillow can be adjusted around the head and maybe a separate one for under the chest or knee for good elevation so you don't suffocate yourself.\n\nOh and maybe a body pillow too... ever try just holding something to sleep? It could help... pillow, teddy bear, someone.\n\nSometimes when you feel really safe where you are, you'll just knock right out, without a second thought.\n\nGood luck, hope you can catch some
942510
A can of redbull could do the trick (one every 3 hours or so). Also keep the temperature cool, your brain can focus better and heat makes you drowsy. You could also look into an ADD medication like Ritalin. It helps to maintain focus and attentiveness, however you might have trouble getting that instantly. If you don't like energy drinks such as redbull, there are caffeine pills available at the pharmacy. Make sure your area is well lit and you are organized. The best thing is to make yourself comfortable: play some jazz or classical music (although it might be tempting to listen to heavier stuff, this will just distract you).
169908
Don't take any medicine to fall asleep.  Try reading a book or a magazine.  Don't get on the computer though.
856393
The posters above me have already offered some good advice - especially the first poster who recommended Valerian Root.\n\nAll I can add to everyone else's advice is this site which explains what you are going through and categorizes the different sleep aids that are available :\n\nhttp://www.medicinenet.com/sleep_aids_and_stimulants/article.htm\n\nGood Luck - I hope you find relief and peaceful sleep soon !
1140856
NoDoz.  It works wonders, kept me up for three days without wanting sleep.  It does make you urinate, though, as it's caffeine based.
616067
I eat a peppermint or chew gum. I drink lots of water or caffiene, but just sips of caffience cause too much just gives you an instant sugar high then you go back to feeling sleepy.\n\nGreen Tea pills are what I take when im ultra sleepy! they actually do work, I don't know what I would do without them!!
311766
No.\n\n*Oxazepam is the correct spelling\n\nOxazepam (Serax) is a sedative and will make you sleepy. If you're trying for treatment of allergic reaction, look for signs like difficulty of breathing, blurry vision, choking sensations. These need emergency setting. Do not self medicate. The medication must be injected into your vein.\n\nFor mild skin allergic reaction, you may try any over the counter anti- histamine like Loratidine (Claritin). But you could just drink lots of water and stop taking Voltaren.
300842
ips for Getting A Better Night Sleep\n\n1. Avoid Alcohol\n* Alcohol can cause restlessness during the night. Caffeine and nicotine have substances in them that will keep you awake.\n\n2. Avoid Smoking\n* Nicotine has substances in it that will keep you awake.\n\n3. Avoid Caffeine\n* Caffeine has substances in it that will keep you awake.\n\n4. Exercise regularly\n* But do not exercise near your bedtime.\n\n5. Avoid sleep interruptions\n* Don't sleep with the pet, close your door, minimize light and noise.\n\n6. Relax before bedtime\n* A warm bath or light snack\n\n7. Avoid liquids before bedtime\n* Limits having to use the bathroom at night.\n\n8. Avoid long naps during the day\n* Naps can disrupt your sleeping pattern.\n\n9. Avoid trying to sleep\n* the more you "try" to sleep, the more difficult it becomes.\n\n10. Get up at the same time each morning\n* Too much time in bed can lead to restless sleep.\n\n11. Use your bed for sleeping\n* Not for unrelated activities like reading or watching tv.\n\n12. Check your medications\n* Medications might increase your sleep difficulties.
145924
I was also having problems falling asleep, doing so around 3-4am, au aunt told me about Melatonin, its a natural pill. i tried it...and literally about 30-60 minutes later i could barely keep my eyes open. its over the counter so no need for a doc visit, and actually when i visited my doc for other reasons...i did ask about melatonin and she didnt see any problem with me taking it. it worked for me, dont know if it will work for you..but you can give it a try. hope it helps.
1133690
Try to keep the same sleep/wake schedule.\nDo not exercise before bedtime.\nKeep the room cool.\nDon't eat at least three hours before bed time.\nAlcohol inhibits sleep as well as caffeine.
1048705
Try melatonin, a natural supplement.  Or valerian, an herb that induces sleep.
456791
The story of my life!  I often have trouble sleeping and at times no matter what I do helps.  Somethings I have tried that do seem to help from time to time.  \n\nA good round of sex. \n\nA glass of milk.\n\nExercising about 1 hour before you go to bed.\n\nThen there are medications.  I use Ambien from time to time, but it is a prescription so probably no help for tonight.  If you do decide to go with Ambien, a word of caution.  I only use them in dire circumstances.  They make me totally goofy.  I do really silly things, and often have amnesia the next day. \n\nHope you have sweet dreams tonight.  Good Luck!
479213
get some regular sleep!
41424
I try staying awake to finish term papers a lot.  Keep the lights on so that you don't think of it as night time.  Too much caffine will make you hyper, but just enough will keep your brain stimulated enough to stay awake.  Try sleeping a lot the night before and take a nap that day so you aren't as tired at night.  Try to do all your research before hand so that all you need to do it put it all together.  Do your citations and stuff the next day.  A lot of people say power naps help, but for me if I were to lie down I would stay asleep all night.  Whatever works for you.