[robocat]

Most off-the-shelf antihistamines are now non-drowsy.

I asked the pharmacist for a drowsy antihistamine the other day and they gave me something from behind the counter (no script required). No idea if it was anticholinergic: most drugs require compromises so if something works better for sleep for me I'll judge the risks for other side-effects.

Normally I use a loratidine if I wake in the early hours and that usually gets me back to sleep, even though it is non-drowsy.

I wanted to try a different antihistamine to see if it worked better: jury's out on that at the moment.

Personally I think it is very important to experiment on yourself, and test a variety of solutions. I will even test alternative medicine for important problems. I strongly avoid dangerous solutions. I am fairly conservative and I especially dislike taking pills, but I believe in the value of trying a bit of science on your problems.

[resoluteteeth]

The antihistamines that make you drowsy are first generation antihistamines like benadryl that research has suggested are very bad to take more than occasionally (linked to dementia risk, etc.)

If you need something for sleep I highly suggest you either try melatonin if you want something OTC or talk to your doctor for something that requires a prescription.

Aside from melatonin, pretty much every OTC sleeping drug you can get is an anticholinergic drug which is better to avoid.

[robocat]

Cheers.

Yes Promethazine (the anti-histamine I'm using) is a moderate anticholinergic.

AFAIK Melatonin needs a doctor's prescription in New Zealand.

I will balance the risks as best I can (lack of sleep is also very unhealthy!!), and keep scientifically trying softer alternatives.