What do Advil products treat?
Advil products for sleep are used to help you sleep better and relieve minor pain that may make it hard for you to sleep. There are two active ingredients in these products, ibuprofen and diphenhydramine. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It blocks certain substances in the body that cause pain. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It helps you fall asleep by working in your brain to affect the sleep-wake cycle, causing drowsiness.
There are Advil products for sleep for people as young as 12 years old.
What are the possible side effects of Advil products?
Some possible side effects of Advil products for sleep include drowsiness or tiredness, excitability (especially in children), dizziness or feeling off-balance, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting. If you want more information, you can review the individual ingredients, diphenhydramine and ibuprofen.
Stop using the medicine if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
What should I know before using Advil products?
If you have an upset stomach from taking an Advil product for sleep, you can try taking it with food or milk to help reduce the chances of this happening with future doses.
You should not use Advil products for sleep if any of the following apply.
- You do not have pain with your sleep troubles
- You do not have time to get a full night of rest (usually seven to eight hours)
- Past allergic reaction to a pain reliever or fever reducer
- Right before or after heart surgery
- Use any other medicine that has diphenhydramine in it (including medicines that you apply to your skin)
Check with your health care provider before taking an Advil product for sleep if any of the following apply to you.
- Pregnant or breast feeding
- Stomach bleeding
- History of stomach problems, such as heartburn or stomach ulcers
- High blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney problems
- A breathing problem, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema
- Diabetes, gout, or arthritis (and take medicine for it)
- Glaucoma
- Take a blood thinner such as warfarin, a diuretic (water pill), a steroid, other sleep medicines such as a sedative or tranquilizer, or another NSAID
- Drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day
- Are aged 60 or older
- Trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate
Stop taking Advil products for sleep and call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Bloody or black stool
- Feeling faint
- Vomit blood or have new stomach pain
- Ringing in your ears or hearing loss
- Develop any new symptoms
- Pain that gets worse or lasts for 10 days or more
- Redness or swelling
- Sleep troubles that last longer than two weeks
Advil products for sleep can make you drowsy. If you feel drowsy after taking this product, do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how the product affects you. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk for drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Advil products for sleep.
There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Advil product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.
Which Advil product is right for you?
Use the table below to help you find the best product to help you sleep better and relieve any minor aches and pains that may be making it harder for you to sleep well.
To help with trouble sleeping and minor aches and pains
| Adults and children 12 years or older | Advil PM
|
|---|---|
| Adults and children 12 years or older if you have trouble swallowing larger tablets or prefer smaller ones | Advil PM Minis
|