ZzzQuil Review – Can ZzzQuil Nighttime Sleep Aid help you fall asleep?

What Is ZzzQuil?

ZzzQuil is a very popular brand for sleeplessness and insomnia products. They are over-the-counter medications and supplements, which means you won’t need a prescription to get them. They come in a few different forms which we will get into in just a bit. First though, ZzzQuil products are made by Vick’s which is run by the massive conglomerate Procter & Gamble.

Procter and Gamble holds an A+ rating form the Better Business Bureau and have their headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. ZzzQuil makes some of Vicks’ flagship products so let’s delve deeper into what they are all about. We will start off by taking a look at two of the ZzzQuil products available today.

ZzzQuil Nighttime Sleep-Aid Review – Health Insiders Images

ZzzQuil – Quick Facts & Specs

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*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.

ZzzQuil helps adults and children safely fall asleep fast and wake up feeling refreshed.

• Form:Pills
• Type:Supplement
• Benefit:Helps fall asleep faster, enhances sound sleep
• Brand:ZzzQuil
• Uses:Provides sufficient night sleep
• Ingredients:Melatonin, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract ,Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) root extract, Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) leaf extract
• Price:$10.99

Pros And Cons of ZzzQuil

• Does not require a prescription
• Works effectively
• Non-drug and alcohol-free formulas available

• The use of antihistamines for sleeping can lead to sleep walking and other sleep problems
• The liquid form contains artificial colors and flavorings
• The liquid form can also cause grogginess in the morning

The Science Behind ZzzQuil Products

The main ingredient in ZzzQuil’s warming berry liquid is Diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and is usually recommended to help with allergies. According to a Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, diphenhydramine is among the list of medications misused by people presenting to the emergency department for drug treatment ^[1]. The interesting thing to note is antihistamines have also been scientifically proven to cause drowsiness. It is this “side effect” that actually makes ZzzQuil’s warming berry liquid an effective sleeping aid.

Ingredients such as lemon balm in Zzzs De-Stress and Sleep Melatonin tablets are proven to help with stress, relaxation, and sleep but their efficacy can often be greater when combined with other calming herbs due to what is known as a synergist effect ^[2]. Because of this, we give the manufacturer a thumbs up for taking synergy into account when formulating this product with multiple herbs that work together to promote restful sleep in a drug-free, non-habit forming product. Check out the other herbs included here.

De-Stress and Sleep Melatonin tablets’ star ingredient is melatonin, which is probably the most widely used and most well-known sleep supplement. It is thought that melatonin works by binding to melatonin receptors in the hypothalamus ^[3]. It has been shown to cut down on the time it takes to fall asleep and helps regulate the body’s sleep/wake cycles. It is generally considered a safer alternative to sleeping medications due to fewer side effects.

ZzzQuil Warming Berry Liquid

This is one of the most popular ZzzQuil products. It is a liquid taken orally and is non-habit-forming. The active ingredient is:

Diphenhydramine – The Baylor College of Medicine classifies it as an antihistamine and acknowledges that it can be used as a sleeping aid. There is 50 mg of diphenhydramine in this product. (swapped the two sentences)

Alcohol – Alcohol is an inactive ingredient in this formula. In this case, it is used as a solvent. ZzzQuil also makes a similar formula without alcohol.

Pricing

A single pack of the warming berry liquid is going for about $7.97. This is the price for a 12 fluid-ounce bottle.

Directions

This product is intended for use by adults only. You should take only one dosage (30ml) per day to help you sleep.

Pure Zzz’s De-Stress & Sleep Melatonin Tablets

This product is different in that it comes in tablet form, helps manage stress (in addition to being a sleep aid), and features different ingredients. These tablets apparently cause no grogginess the next day and help you maintain a normal sleep cycle by aiding in relaxation and naturally supporting your body’s circadian rhythm ^[4]. It is considered a dietary supplement because it does not contain any medications. The ingredients include:

Melatonin – naturally occurring in the body, melatonin is a hormone that is made in the pineal gland and signals the body that it’s time to sleep ^[5]. Various lifestyle factors can affect our ability to produce enough melatonin.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract – This ingredient is sometimes called Indian Ginseng. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering ^[6], Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb which can be used as a sedative.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) root extract – Valerian is a perennial plant and the National Institute of Health tells us that it is yet another herb that can be used as a natural sedative ^[7]. In relation to sleep disorders, valerian has been tested in nine randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical studies. Results of the studies were mixed but promising.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) leaf extract – Lemon balm is known to be a calming herb. Some studies suggest that lemon balm can help relieve stressful and anxious feelings ^[8].

Pricing

This product is available for the price of $10.99 for a bottle of 488 tablets on popular retail sites.

Directions

The user is to take 1-2 tablets a half an hour before they go to sleep.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) discourages the use of the medication as a sleep aid because its benefits are approximately equal to the potential for harms.

ZzzQuil Customer Reviews

There are many customer reviews on sites that sell ZzzQuil.

Reviews are generally positive for ZzzQuil products. Some people say they work wonders, while others report that they did nothing for them. Some complain that the liquid syrup tastes bad while others praise the De-stress and Sleep Melatonin tablets for helping them get the best sleep of their lives. And there are many people who say ZzzQuil worked, but they also had a hangover effect.

SEE ALSO – Stasis Sleep Enhancer and Luna Sleep Aid

ZzzQuil Alternatives

As far as sleeping aids go there are many options available to you besides the ZzzQuil line of products. Here are just a few examples:

Final Verdict

Overall ZzzQuil seems like a pretty good brand if you are in need of a sleeping aid and don’t mind taking an antihistamine to help you sleep. The truth is that a lot of people shy away from antihistamine sleep aids because there is concern over the long-term effects of drugs in this class, particularly in light of this recent research ^[10]. But if you are going to go that route, ZzzQuil is one of the most trusted over the counter sleeping pills available.

The bottom line is that it works for helping people sleep. We don’t like some of the side effects it may cause like headaches, daytime sleepiness, and dry mouth – but those can be overlooked when weighed against the negative effects of extreme sleeplessness. And you can always choose one of the non-drug options such as the De-Stress and Sleep Melatonin tablets.

You should know that there are less expensive alternatives out there, but these may not be as effective or safe. You should also be careful when taking products like ZzzQuil because even though they are non-habit forming, they can still be abused and may prevent you from investigating the possible underlying causes of your sleep problems.

Furthermore, the side effects that come from antihistamines don’t affect the young as much as they do the elderly. Keep in mind that ZzzQuil should not be used if you are suffering from long-term insomnia. If this is the case you should talk to your physician as opposed to taking over-the-counter medication.

Your experience of ZzzQuil

Have you tried ZzzQuil? Did it work for you, or give any side effects? Please share your experience in the comments below.

Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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Health Insiders Team

The Health Insiders Team takes pride in bringing you the latest in nutritional research, skincare, healthy living, and wellness hacks. Together our researchers... [Read Full Bio]

Reviewed by Sharyn Reinhold, MS, CNS