Unisom

Unisom is a brand of single-ingredient, over the counter sleepaids.http://www.unisom.com/ourproducts.html The medication is produced by Chattem, Inc. manufacturers of other health and medicinal brands, including: Dexatrim, Gold Bond, IcyHot, Pamprin, and Selsun Blue. The Unisom brand was purchased from Johnson & Johnson by Chattem in January of 2007. A year prior to the Chattem acquisition, Johnson & Johnson had acquired the Unisom brand from the Pfizer pharmaceutical company.

Unisom is used to treat occasional sleeplessness in adults and children over the age of 12. http://www.unisom.com/faq.html Occasional sleeplessness, or insomnia, is a common condition, characterized by difficulty falling asleep, inability to stay asleep or falling back to sleep after waking, drowsiness throughout the day, irritability, and impaired concentration and memory. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes There are many possible causes for occasional, or transient, sleeplessness, including: anxiety or depression, stress, and pain. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes

Unisom comes in three forms: Unisom SleepTabs are a powder-blue tablet, with 25 mg of doxylamine succinate, a sedating antihistamine; SleepGels are a blue softgel, with 50 mg of the antihistamine diphenhydramine HCl; and SleepMelts are pink dissolvable tablets, with 25 mg (50 mg per dose) of diphenhydramine HCl. http://www.unisom.com/faq.html All Unisom ingredients are recognized as safe and effective by the United States FDA. http://www.unisom.com/faq.html

The Unisom products work by blocking the effects of histamine, an amine compound released in allergic reactions, causing dilation and permeability of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/histamine Unisom studies have shown that individuals fall asleep approximately 23 minutes faster taking the medication, and are able to sleep soundly through the night.

It is recommended that individuals taking Unisom follow dosage instructions, taking one one SleepGel or SleepTab, or two SleepMelts 30 minutes before bedtime. http://www.unisom.com/faq.html Any other dosing should be prescribed by a doctor. http://www.unisom.com/faq.html

Some common side effects of taking Unisom include:

• Dry Mouth/ Throat
• Constipation
• Blurred Vision

If a user experiences any side effects, it is recommended that they discontinue use of the product and consult their physician.