What can I take to help me sleep on an overnight flight?

Try a sleep aid Over-the-counter options include Dramamine (bonus: it will also help if you have motion sickness), melatonin (a hormone that can help with sleep and prevent jet lag), any antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl), and medicines designed for insomnia, like Unisom or ZzzQuil.



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Those longer acting medications should be avoided for short flights. For example, you wouldn't want to use a long-acting medication like Ambien on a short flight. Why? You could find yourself too groggy to take care of yourself when you arrive at your destination or during an emergency, he said.

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Diphenhydramine, the same antihistamine found in Benadryl, will likely put you to sleep, though you may pay the price once you land. “It makes us feel really groggy when we wake up, and it can make us feel really hungover,” Das says.

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These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

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Dramamine is an over-the-counter preventative drug that can help with motion sickness while flying. Although this medication can cause severe drowsiness, it can help you sleep through your flight instead of feeling the unfortunate common symptoms.

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I recommend melatonin as a natural supplement to my patients with flight-related anxiety. Melatonin induces sleep and adjusts your circadian clock to help you function better when you reach your destination.

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Melatonin pills and gummies are totally fine to take on a plane from a TSA (Transportation Security Administration in the USA) perspective, but liquid melatonin has its own requirements (explained below).

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My Top 5 Tips for Relaxing During an Overnight Flight
  1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! This one cannot come as a surprise, as it's part of every single article already written on this topic! ...
  2. BYOT (bring your own tea) ...
  3. Keep up your night-time routine. ...
  4. Meditate. ...
  5. Use white noise.


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ZzzQuil Pure Zzzs Melatonin works naturally with your body to help you fall asleep. * Plus, it comes in gummy and tablet form, so you won't have an issue getting it past security at the airport.

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Directions. To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken ½ to 1 hour before starting activity: Adults and children 12 years and over: 1 to 2 tablets every 4-6 hours; do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor.

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Pharmacological treatment Medication is sometimes prescribed on a temporary basis to treat the symptoms of a flying phobia, such as anxiety and nausea. These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax).

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For example, deep breathing or meditation during take-off, landing or turbulence can reduce your symptoms of anxiety. You can also learn to “talk back” to negative thoughts about flying when they arise.

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People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed.

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