Non-prescription sleeping pills for sound sleep for adults and the elderly. List of instant medications

Adequate sleep is the key to health, high productivity, good health and mood. For a sound sleep, you can purchase a whole list of sleeping pills in pharmacies, sold without prescriptions.

Most modern synthetic sleeping pills, the purchase of which does not require a doctor's prescription, include an artificial analogue of the sleep hormone (melatonin) or histamine H1 receptor blockers (ethanolamines).

Melatonin-based preparations are recognized as the safest, because... they are non-addictive, have virtually no side effects, and do an excellent job of treating insomnia.

Ethanolamines require more careful handling, because they have a large list of contraindications, and their use is often accompanied by side effects. There are also other groups of synthetic sleeping pills with a stronger mechanism of action on the body.

When choosing sleeping pills without prescriptions for sound sleep, you need to keep in mind that the list of such drugs includes several dozen drugs. Before purchasing this or that product, you must carefully study the composition and features of the effect on the body.

"Melaxen"

The active ingredient of the drug "Melaxen" is a synthetic analogue of melatonin, i.e., the hormone responsible for sleep. Available in the form of tablets, the average price for a package of 12 pieces is 500 rubles.

Doctors prescribe it to patients over 55 years of age who suffer from insomnia, and to young people in order to normalize biorhythms when changing time zones or during stressful periods. Melaxen dosage regimen: 1 tablet 30 minutes before bedtime. Patients note the high effectiveness of the drug from the first day of use, as well as the absence of any negative side effects during therapy.

"Donormil"

Donormil has a relaxing and hypnotic effect: it helps you fall asleep in a short time and guarantees long-term restful sleep. The drug is sold in the form of tablets, the average price per package is 300 rubles. The drug is prescribed for various sleep disorders, dosage - 1 tablet 60 minutes before bedtime.

The active substance of this drug (doxylamine) is absorbed into the stomach within an hour and blocks histamine receptors, resulting in relaxation and rapid sleep.

According to reviews from doctors and patients, Donormil has a mild effect on the body, retains its effect after discontinuation of use, and also has virtually no side effects.

"Sondox"

The active ingredient of Sondoxa is doxylamine succinate, the drug is an analogue of Donormil, has absolutely identical properties and mechanism of action. The price of the medicine ranges from 100 to 200 rubles. per package.

The dosage is selected individually, depending on the nature of insomnia and the characteristics of the body. Doctors recommend starting with half a tablet an hour before bedtime, the maximum allowable dose is 2 tablets. The duration of sleep after taking Sondox is 7 hours. You can hear both positive and negative reviews about the drug.

Negative experiences are most often due to side effects:

  • daytime sleepiness;
  • nausea;
  • tachycardia.

"Glycine"

“Glycine” is an over-the-counter drug whose active ingredient is aminoacetic acid.

The drug is one of the dietary supplements, it:

  • stimulates metabolic processes;
  • improves brain activity;
  • normalizes sleep.

It has a low cost - from 30 rubles. per package. For insomnia, it is recommended to dissolve 1 Glycine tablet half an hour before bedtime.

It is worth considering that the product has a cumulative effect and will not help with serious sleep disorders.

"Andante"

The active substance in Andante is zaleplon, it is prescribed as a sleeping pill for episodic insomnia and problems falling asleep. It is produced in the form of capsules in dosages of 5 mg and 10 mg. The average price for a package of 7 capsules of 5 mg is 200 rubles.

The Andante dosage is selected by the doctor individually. The standard regimen for taking the drug is 5 mg per day, with at least 2 hours passing after the last meal.

The drug is quickly absorbed, reduces the time it takes to fall asleep, and also prevents night and early awakenings.“Andante” is not recommended to be taken for more than two weeks to avoid addiction.

"Ivadal"

“Ivadal” (zolpidem tartrate) is a sleeping pill, produced in the form of tablets in packages of 7, 10, 20 pieces. The price of the drug is from 2000 rubles. This sleeping pill is prescribed in case of problems falling asleep, as well as early and frequent awakenings at night. Dosage regimen: 1 tablet per day, immediately before bedtime.

Patients note the effectiveness of the product even with a single use. If the instructions are strictly followed, it is not addictive.

"Imovan"

“Imovan” is a sleeping pill from the group of cyclopyrrolones, its active substance is zopiclone. Has sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing and muscle relaxant effects. The average cost of a package of the drug is 300 rubles.

“Imovan” is absorbed into the bloodstream in a short time, shortens the period of falling asleep, and ensures long-term sleep without awakenings. The duration of the course is selected individually, depending on the type of insomnia and the age of the patient. Recommended dosage regimen: 1 tablet before bedtime.

Many patients who have taken Imovan note in their reviews that the drug really helps to cope with insomnia, but side symptoms such as nausea, drowsiness, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth often appear.

"Chloral hydrate"

"Chloral hydrate" is a sedative, hypnotic, analgesic and anticonvulsant. Under the influence of this drug, a person easily falls asleep and sleeps in a long, deep sleep.

"Chloral hydrate" is recommended to be taken orally along with enveloping agents, since it has a strong irritating effect on the gastric mucosa. It has quite a lot of contraindications and quickly becomes addictive.

"Rohypnol"

Rohypnol is a powerful sleeping pill, sold in the form of tablets and injections. Its main active substance is flunitrazepam. For insomnia, doctors prescribe 1 tablet of Rohypnol before bed. The drug begins to act half an hour after administration.

The maximum duration of therapy is 3 weeks; with longer use it becomes addictive.

Herbal preparations

Sedative and hypnotic over-the-counter drugs for sound sleep, made from plant extracts, are considered harmless to the human body, the list of such drugs is quite large. They have a mild sedative effect, have a minimal number of contraindications, are not addictive, and their use is not accompanied by the development of side effects.

"Novo-Passit"

"Novo-Passit" is a sedative consisting of extracts of the following medicinal plants:

  • valerian;
  • Melissa;
  • St. John's wort;
  • hawthorn;
  • elder;
  • hop.

Sold in solution and tablet form. The average cost for a package of 10 tablets is 170 rubles, for the same amount you can purchase 100 ml of syrup.

For mild insomnia, the drug is taken 3 times a day, 1 tablet, or 5 ml of solution.

"Persen-Forte"

"Persen-Forte" is a sedative and antispasmodic drug, sold in the form of tablets and capsules.

It contains extracts of medicinal plants:

  • valerian;
  • peppermint;
  • lemon balm.

One of the main indications for taking Persena-Forte is insomnia. Due to the significant content of valerian rhizome extract, taking the drug can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, improve the quality of sleep, and ensure proper rest. The average cost of a package of the drug of 10 capsules is 190 rubles, 40 tablets – 300 rubles.

"Fitosedan"

“Fitosedan” is a soothing collection of medicinal herbs, including:

  • motherwort;
  • oregano;
  • valerian;
  • sweet clover;
  • thyme.

It is produced in the form of convenient filter bags, which are recommended to be brewed with boiling water, like tea, and drunk before bed. It has a gentle calming effect on the entire body, helps to relax, relieve tension and fall asleep.

Pros of herbal tea:

  • no artificial additives;
  • does not cause addiction;
  • low price (about 50 rubles per package).

"Sonylux" and "DreamZzz"

“Sonylux” is a sleeping pill that includes more than 30 components of exclusively plant origin; it is allowed to be used to treat children from 2 years of age.

The unique composition of the drug allows:

  • effectively cope with insomnia;
  • improve overall well-being;
  • get rid of nervous tension.

It is not addictive, so it is ideal for daily and long-term use.

"Sonylux" is available in the form of a solution; the kit includes a double-sided measuring spoon, which makes it easy to adjust the dosage based on the patient's age.

The regimen for taking the drug is selected individually by the doctor. The standard dosage is a measuring spoon three times a day. The recommended course duration is 1 month.

The only disadvantage of the drug is the rather high price, the cost of one bottle is about 1000 rubles. Sold on the manufacturer's website.

"DreamZzz" in composition, release form, dosage regimen and price is absolutely the same as the drug "Sonylux".

Patients who took “DreamZzz” and “Sonylux” noted in their reviews the mild effect of the drug, the absence of drowsiness during the day, and an improvement in overall well-being. The maximum effect is observed after a full course of the drug.

"Restox"

“Restox” is a drug based on plant extracts (agave, aralia, eleutherococcus, marshmallow), the combination of which provides not only a restful, sound sleep without awakenings, but also eliminates the causes of snoring. The product is available in liquid form, dosage regimen: 15 drops/3 times a day before meals. The cost of the drug is 1000 rubles. Sold only on the manufacturer's website.

Patients in reviews note the cumulative effect of the drug, the first improvements usually begin to be observed 7 days after starting treatment.

Combination drugs

Combined sleeping pills for sound sleep consist of a complex of herbal and synthetic components; the list of such drugs includes Corvalol and Valocordin, available without a prescription.

"Corvalol" ("Valocordin")

Corvalol is a drug whose main components are peppermint oil and phenobarbital. Valocordin has an identical composition. The drugs have a pronounced sedative effect, so they help the body relax and fall asleep faster.

"Barboval"

"Barboval" is a complex product that includes a number of components (ethyl alcohol a-bromoisovaleric acid, validol, phenobarbital, ethanol). It is produced in the form of drops and tablets, the cost of the drug is quite low - from 50 rubles.

"Barboval" is prescribed as a sedative and antispasmodic, it is effective in the treatment of neuroses, nervous disorders and insomnia. In the latter case, it is recommended to take the medicine 10-15 drops three times a day before meals.

Homeopathic medicines

Homeopathic remedies for insomnia have a gentle effect on the body; taking them is not accompanied by the development of unpleasant side effects.

Homeopaths believe that each remedy should be selected on an individual basis, depending on the nature of the disorders and their root cause, the characteristics of the nervous system and the general health of the patient.

List of over-the-counter homeopathic sleeping pills for sound sleep. has several dozen items, the most popular of them:

  • “Coffee” – used for overexcitation;
  • “Ignation” – helps with sleep problems that arise against the background of strong emotions;
  • "Argentum nitricum" is indicated for improving sleep before exciting events;
  • “Sulfur” is recommended for people suffering from frequent awakenings due to light sleep;
  • Lycopodium is designed for people suffering from early awakenings.

Sleeping pills for children

In case of serious disorders of the nervous system in a child, the doctor may prescribe medications that have a hypnotic effect.


The list of sleeping pills sold without prescriptions for sound sleep includes drugs for adults, for children and for pregnant women.

In childhood, only herbal sedatives can be taken, these include:

  • valerian infusion;
  • “Persen” (from 3 years old);
  • "Dormiplant" (from 6 years old);
  • Alora syrup (from 3 years old);
  • "Novo-Passit" (from 12 years old).

How to take it so you don't get used to it

Despite the fact that many sleeping pills are freely available in modern pharmacies, their use should be treated with the utmost caution.

In order to avoid addiction to such products, it is enough to follow a few simple rules:

  • carefully study the proposed instructions;
  • strictly follow the dosage indicated in the instructions;
  • do not exceed the maximum permissible duration of taking the drug.

Who should not take sleeping pills

Almost all sleeping pills (especially synthetic and combined ones) have contraindications for use.

These drugs should not be taken:


The list of over-the-counter sleeping pills for sound sleep is quite large, therefore, despite all possible contraindications, it is possible to choose an effective remedy in each particular case.

It's important to know that insomnia can be a symptom of serious illness(hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, Parkinson's disease, chronic depression, etc.). If taking mild sleeping pills does not help, you should seek help from a doctor.

Video about effective sleeping pills

List of sleeping pills for sound sleep that can be purchased without prescriptions:

Effective sleeping pills that can be prepared at home: