In This Review
There are many issues that can lead to a lack of proper sleep but they have been increasing in both variety and intensity over the years, many due to the pressures of living in a modern and industrialized civilization. For many people the main culprit is just plain old stress but for others it can be anything from working on the night shift or bouncing around from one shift of work to another or even problems associated with jet lag. Still, no matter what the issue is there is no doubt that it can have a dramatic effect on one’s quality of life and overall health. So, the question everyone dealing with these issues has to ask themselves is what are they going to do about it?
To understand that one has to look at the situation from a historical perspective and when they do they will see that these problems often go all the way back to the beginning of humanity. And, ever since then we have been trying just about everything we could think of to deal with it. That includes spells and incantations to potions and elixirs of every kind. But, here in the modern age those remedies have transformed primarily into prescription medications and as effective as they can be they also come with a price and that is addiction.
Used For: Temporary relief of occasional sleeplessness.
Active Ingredients: Diphenhydramine HCl (usually 25 mg or 50 mg).
Form: Tablets or softgels.
Type: Over-the-counter sleep aid.
Benefits: Helps reduce difficulty falling asleep and improves sleep onset.
Brand: Rite Aid (store brand).
Price: Typically ranges from $5 to $15, depending on quantity and location.
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
The good news is that over the last decade or so there have been some rather remarkable advances in the science surrounding herbal remedies which have unlocked some often age old benefits which have led to the creation of what we now know as the modern non-prescription sleep aid. In essence, these newer products work by replenishing the body with the elements it needs to build up the natural chemicals we are all born with but lose over time as we age but which are critical to our ability to achieve fully restful sleep.
The bad news is that because of the great success and immense popularity of these products the market which offers them has been deluged with literally hundreds of new entries as just about every firm that can make a pill and bring it to market is doing so in order to get in on what has become a multi-billion dollar market. The main problem is that many of these have been proven over time to be far less effective than most of the best that the industry has to offer. Of course, the end result of all of this a consumer base which is growing more and more frustrated and dissatisfied with the far too many choices.
Keeping all of this in mind we, as a part of our continuing efforts to help our many valued readers find the products that will most like work best for them, have decided to take a look at one of the most talked about non-prescription sleep aids on the market today – it’s the Rite Aid Sleep Aid.
Rite Aid Sleep Aid Ingredients
This product has been on the market for some time now and uses a combination of active and inactive elements which are quite common across the industry. Among them are Diphenhydramine HCl (50 mg), Edible White Ink, FD&C Blue 1, Gelatin, Glycerin, Polyethylene Glycol, Purified Water and Sorbitol Special.
What should be kept in mind is that Diphenhydramine HCI has been the subject of some controversy due to certain, as yet fully determined, unwanted side effects which we will discuss in the next section.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Are There Benefits to Taking Rite Aid Sleep Aid?
There is no question that this product has proven itself to be effective to some degree but the inclusion of diphenhydramine has some people worried about certain claims that it is linked to an accelerated aging of the brain and certain other brain diseases most commonly experienced in later life stages.
In a review of the other listed ingredients what we found was that Rite Aid Sleep Aid is otherwise very much quite similar to the vast majority of products in this genre including many of the top performing brands. Also, a look at what most highly touted experts in the field have to say shows that all of the all-natural elements contained in Rite Aid Sleep Aid have a long and well-established history of being safe to use not only in sleep aids but in many other products, as well.
Will Rite Aid Sleep Aid Help You Get Better Sleep?
Compared to many products on the market and especially to many of the newer entries Rite Aid Sleep Aid appears to have a lot of upside but a closer look at its key benefits raise a number of questions which may offer a dimmer view. One of the chief complaints is that the manufacturer failed to include a number of core ingredients which homeopathic experts around the world often say are critical to the most highly effective formulations as they have been known for years to be both effective and, just as importantly, safe for continued use.
A secondary issue is the concern that the use of this product could lead to problems associated with a condition known as biphasic sleep which is claimed to cause the brain to be trained to go through shortened cycles of sleep if the product is introduced into the system multiple times during the normal eight hour sleep cycle.
Being that most experts in the field tend to believe that this condition can lead to some significant detrimental effects in both long and short term bodily system functions it should be avoided if at all possible. At the core of this concern is that the user’s ability to fall into a healthy pattern of a consistent sleep can lead to a whole host of long term negative physical and neurological health problems.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Health And Safety Concerns
As would be expected with a product of this nature the warning label includes a long list of warnings that should be followed closely. They include a recommendation that it not be given to children who are twelve years of age or under, not to use along with any other products containing diphenhydramine, even those designed for topical use. Also, users should consult a physician if they have emphysema; chronic bronchitis; glaucoma; problems with urination caused by an enlargement of the prostate gland. Others say that users should consult with a doctor or pharmacist should they be using sedatives or tranquilizers and that alcoholic beverages should be avoided. As preventative measures go users should not use this product and consult a physician if sleeplessness continues to persist for more than 2 weeks. Insomnia could also be a symptom of a significant medical illness. If the user is pregnant or breast-feeding they should ask a medical professional before starting use and this product should be kept out of reach of children. In the event of an overdose the user should seek medical help or call a poison control hotline immediately. As always, the product should not be consumed if the imprinted seal appears to be broken or missing from the cap and should be used only as directed.
Where to Buy Rite Aid Sleep Aid
The brand name suggests it can only be purchased directly from Rite Aid’s many brick and mortar store locations or through its online platform. Each container consists of 32 soft gels and, as of the time of publication, is priced at $6.15.
Our Conclusion
A close look at Rite Aid Sleep Aid reveals that, although not a poor product, it does not reach the standards set by the best that the industry has to offer consumers. For those interested in a non-prescription sleep aid which is both effective and does not have any adverse side effects there are many on the market which have been shown to provide those benefits. Learn more.
