According to Carlos Schenck, M.D., author of Sleep, 10 percent of the population wrestles with a sleep disorder or inability to fall asleep quickly or stay asleep throughout the night. There are countless remedies from natural herbs to prescription medication to help one fall asleep. Simply Sleep, a product made by Tylenol, is an over-the-counter sleep aid. According to Tylenol, 1 in 3 adults lack a good night's sleep. The ingredients in Simply Sleep are designed to help people achieve adequate rest.
Diphenhydramine HCl
Diphenhydramine HCl is the main ingredient in Simply Sleep. The FDA lists diphenhydramine HCl as an antihistamine with drying and sedative effects. The diphenhydramine HCl in Simply Sleep works in about an hour, and relaxes the body and mind to prepare for sleep. Diphenhydramine HCl stays in the body from four to six hours, allowing for a long night's sleep and proper rest.
Simply Sleep contains 25mg of diphenhydramine HCl in each tablet, with two tablets being the recommended dosage for adults and children over 12 years of age. Since diphenhydramine HCl is a sedative, avoid alcohol or other medications containing diphenhydramine.
Carnauba Wax and Cellulose
Other ingredients in Simply Sleep are carnauba wax and cellulose. Carnauba wax is made from the Brazilian carnauba palm plant. It is used in many products from cosmetics to food. In Simply Sleep, it is mixed with cellulose as a release agent and tableting agent. Cellulose comes from the cellular walls of plants, and used as a binding agent. Cellulose is biodegradable and breaks down easily, and when used in food products, it helps to break down the ingredients for assimilation.
Fillers
There are a number of filler ingredients in Simply Sleep, such as croscarmellose sodium and dicalcium phosphate. They are used to help the body assimilate the pill and keep the active ingredients potent. Croscarmellose sodium is a form of sodium carboxymethylcellulose. It is used in pharmaceuticals and tablet preparations for its ability to disintegrate. Its inclusion in Simply Sleep allows the pills to disintegrate and disperses the diphenhydramine HCl through the body.
Dicalcium phosphate is used in many preparations, from dog treats to dietary supplements. Its use in Simply Sleep is as a tableting agent, which allows the pill's ingredients to remain stable.
References
- Sleep: The Mysteries, the problems, and the solutions; Carlos Schenck, M.D.; 2007
- Simply Sleep by Tylenol
- Drugs.com Diphenhydramine HCl
