Nytol

Nytol
Nytol in its UK packaging.

Nytol is a brand of sleeping pill produced by GlaxoSmithKline. The active ingredient is diphenhydramine hydrochloride, a sedative antihistamine.

GlaxoSmithKline acquired the product in 2001 with the purchase of Block Drug.[1]

Diphenhydramine enters the brain in significant quantities and causes drowsiness. It decreases the time taken to fall asleep and increases the depth and quality of sleep. This makes it helpful for the temporary relief of sleeping difficulties.

In the United Kingdom and Canada it is available over the counter.

It is intended for short-term use as a sleep aid, or for alleviating effects of jet lag. It is available in both "One a night" and "Two a night" dosages. The maximum dose is 50 mg of diphenhydramine HCl per day.

Taking Nytol with alcohol is not recommended by the manufacturers. It is potentially dangerous to take more than the recommended dosage, and those on other medication or pregnant women should seek medical advice before using Nytol. As with any other sleeping pill, one should never drive after taking a dosage. Long term usage is also discouraged as tolerance to the effect occurs over a couple of weeks. Diphenhydramine is not addictive[citation needed].

Taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous, and was a contributing factor in the death of a man in 2006 who apparently was using it for its recommended purpose, but who took four times the recommended dosage. The direct cause of his death was asphyxiation from vomit in his airway.[2]

In Zambia, diphenhydramine is listed as a controlled and illegal substance under article 34, PtII of chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia. Under the schedule listed in Regulation 2, possession of any amount of powders/tablets, including Nytol, containing 0.5mg or more, or liquids containing 2.5mg (or ml), of diphenhydramine is classed as trafficking.[3]

Nytol Herbal is a different product containing the herbal products hops, valeriana, and passion flower.[4]

References

  1. ^ GlaxoSmithKline Completes the Purchase of Block Drug for $1.24 Billion -prnewswire - January 16, 2001
  2. ^ http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=27219&in_page_id=34
  3. ^ http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Diphenhydramine
  4. ^ "Nytol UK - Nytol Herbal Tablets". http://nytol.co.uk/nytol/nytol-herbal-tablets.aspx. Retrieved March 22, 2010. 

External links


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