why is Tylenol pm or other sleepaids bad for us? is it bad for what? I heard it affects the heart. is it true?

Answer 1

You can become dependant on the sleep aid and won't be able to fall asleep without them, in theory.

Answer 2

Sleep aids have the potential to become habit forming.

The active ingredient in Tylenol PM that helps you sleep is diphenhydramine which is basically just Benadryl. Tylenol is acetaminophin which can be damaging to your liver if used too often or in high amounts. If you don't need pain relief, don't take Tylenol P.M., you only need the diphenhydramine, so take Benadryl.

If you suffer from insomnia or sleep difficulties, you should see your doc and ask for Benadryl or Diphenhydramine or check on other sleep aids that might be better for you. I have heard there are new ones on the market that aren't as dangerous and are time release to help you stay asleep. Worth checking out.

Also, try re-thinking any negative thoughts about sleep. If you automatically think, "I'll never get to sleep," you won't - replace that thought with something positive like, "I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep."

Have good "sleep hygiene" which is a good pre-bedtime routine that signals your body that it is time to go to bed. Dim lights, avoid caffeine, brush teeth, take a light shower/bath, etc.

Answer 3

I don't know about your heart but I know it's not good for your liver especially if you drink alcohol. Melatonin and Valerian root may be better choices to help you sleep. Like hrh said it's the acetaminophen that can affect your liver. So stay away from the Tylenol unless you need it for pain and/or fever and don't drink booze on it. The benadryl may be safer if you need it to get to sleep. The best thing is if you have persistent insomnia you need to find out what's causing it. Treat the cause and not merely the symptom.

Answer 4

I knew a healthy young woman who died from liver failure after taking too much Tylenol. She didn't know you could OD on it. Tylenol is not the only one. OTC meds are the cause of many deaths each year because people assume that if it doesn't take a prescription, it must be safe.

Sleep aids, in general, can cause dependency and you will find it difficult to sleep without them. It is recomended that you only use them when necessary.

Answer 5

Not unless you abuse them. To much tylenol can damage your liver. Other than that sleep aides are perfectly safe.. And no, it doesn't effect the heart..

Answer 6

I don't know about the sleeping pill part of it, but I know for a fact that Tylenol is bad for your stomach.

When I take something to sleep I always take something without aspirin, tylenol, or motrin, because they are all bad for your stomach.

Answer 7

They are anithisimines, which can dehydrate you..and if you don't replenish the water, you can risk the blood thickening up and making the heart beat faster, and possibly cause a heart attack...Be careful, use them too sometimes, but I always drink plenty of water..

Answer 8

If you use these on a regular basis;
they can do damage to your liver.