What is Unisom?
It is an antihistamine that helps reduce the effects of the natural chemical histamine within the body. Histamine is known to cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, itching, watery eyes, and a dry nose. Antihistamines may cause insomnia and can be used as a sleep aid.
Unisom can be used to treat nasal congestion, sneezing, eyes that are watery, hives, skin eruptions, itching, and many other symptoms of the cold, as well as allergy symptoms.Unisom can also be used as a treatment for short-term insomnia.Unisom is also used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Side effects of Unisom
Seek medical attention immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergy, such as asthma, hives, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,
Unisom may cause serious side effects. Consult your physician right away if you experience:
- Confusion, hallucinations;
- Excessive dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea;
- Very little or no urination.
Common effects of Unisom could include:
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth, the nose, mouth, or throat
- Constipation;
- Mild dizziness or drowsiness.
The side effects of dry mouth, constipation, and confusion can be more common for older people.
This list does not represent all possible adverse reactions; others could occur. Please consult your physician for advice about potential side effects or contact 1-800-FDA-1088 if any adverse reactions arise.
Warnings
Follow the directions on your prescription label and on the label of your package. Inform your health professionals about your medical issues, allergies, and any other medications you take.
Prior to use this drug
You shouldn't apply Unisom if you are sensitive to it.
Consult a pharmacist or doctor about whether it is safe to take Unisom in the event of any other medical condition, including:
- Glaucoma;
- An enlarged prostate;
- Issues with urination;
- Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another chronic lung disease.
Adults who are older may become more prone to the side effects of this drug.Unisom is not believed to cause harm to the unborn baby. Don't use this medicine without a physician's recommendation if you are expecting.
Doxylamine could be absorbed in breast milk and cause harm to nursing babies. Antihistamines can also slow the production of breast milk. Do not take this medication without consulting a physician's advice if breastfeeding infants.
How to take Unisom?
Follow the directions on the label or as recommended by your physician. Don't use it in greater quantities, in smaller quantities, or for a longer period than is recommended. The medicine is typically taken for a brief period until you feel better.
Don't use Unisom for treating insomnia in children who are younger than 12. Make sure to consult a doctor prior to taking this medication to treat allergies or cold symptoms in children who are younger than six years old. Always consult with a doctor prior to giving a cold or allergy medication to children. Death can occur due to the improper use of these medications in young children.Use this medicine in conjunction by mouth or with milk in the event that it causes stomach upsets.To help treat insomnia, it's best to use Unisom only when you are able to get a few hours of sleep. Follow the directions of your doctor.
Contact your physician if your allergies or cold symptoms don't improve after seven days or more of therapy and if insomnia issues don't improve after two months of therapy.This medication may cause you to experience abnormal results in allergy tests on your skin. Be sure to inform any doctor treating your condition that you are using an antihistamine.Place it in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do the dose you missed as soon as you can remember. Do not take any missed doses that are nearing their due time. Don't take additional medicine to make up for the missed dose.
If you are treating insomnia and you are nearing your normal time of waking, you can skip the dose that you missed and wait until you're asleep to go back to bed.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help Line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
The symptoms of an overdose can include severe versions of certain adverse reactions, as described in this medication guide.
What should be avoided?
Unisom can cause blurred vision and a decrease in your ability to think or react. Be cautious when driving or doing any other activity in which you need to stay aware and capable of seeing clearly.Consult a physician or pharmacist prior to taking another cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medication. A lot of combination medicines include antihistamines. Combining certain medicines can result in excessive amounts of this medication.
Consult a physician or pharmacist before taking any other cough, cold allergy, sleep, or cold medication. Antihistamines can be found in many combinations of medicines. Combining certain medications could cause you to take excessive amounts of a specific medication. Examine the label to find out the presence of an antihistamine.
Drinking alcohol can cause an increase in certain negative effects of doxylamine.Beware of becoming dehydrated or overheated during workouts and in hot temperatures. Unisom may reduce sweating and make you more vulnerable to suffering from heat stroke.
Interaction with other drugs
Consult a physician or pharmacist before taking this medication if you're also taking other medicines that include prescription or over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, and herbal products. Certain medications can trigger unwanted or harmful effects when combined. There are not all the interactions mentioned in this medication guide.
If you take this medication together with other medications that make you sleepy or cause breathing problems, it can cause more harm. Consult your physician before taking Unisom together with a sleep pill, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxer, or medicines to treat anxiety, depression, or seizures.
