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Doxylamine and Anxiety: What Users Say

Brand names: Unisom SleepTabs, Sleep Aid, Nighttime Sleepaid

Anxiety: mentioned by 13 users (5.5%)

Based on user experiences from 236 Doxylamine reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

drowsiness 24.6%
anxiety 5.5%
dizziness 5.5%
headaches 5.1%
tiredness 4.7%
dry mouth 3.8%
nausea 3.0%
restless leg syndrome 3.0%
insomnia 2.5%
irritability 2.5%

Reviews for Doxylamine

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Kka...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 25, 2020

For Insomnia "Doxylamine definitely knocks me out, but I feel odd the next day. My anxiety is through the roof and almost on the verge of panic attacks while feeling very irritable. I believe it stays in your system for quite some time, so this effect lasts all day. Probably not ideal for someone that already has anxiety."

2 / 10
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32 Report
  • CLe...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 12, 2024

Doxylamine for Insomnia "There are two variations of Unisom, one has the same ingredient as Benadryl, the other contains doxylamine. I used the one containing doxylamine. I've taken it (1/2 tablet then decreased to 1/4 tablet) several times, and though it does help with sleep, the side effects of increased anxiety upon waking and worsening of my chronic depression, as well as feeling drowsy throughout the day after waking, make it a no-go for me. I wish I had read more about the potential side effects on mental health prior to taking, as I spent some rough days these past few weeks before realizing this OTC was the culprit."

8 / 10
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5 Report
  • TQa...
  • November 1, 2016

For Insomnia "I have had insomnia since a hysterectomy in 2009, so I began taking Benadryl, but that had the opposite effect on me, and I became very jittery with 'restless leg syndrome,' so I tried Unisom 25 mg nightly. I have been taking Unisom now for 6 years, and it has worked pretty well to help me sleep at night. However, 2 months ago, I developed a fast and irregular heart rhythm. I am a nurse, so I listened to my heart and could hear the missed beats when I felt them. It felt like I had just run up a flight of stairs, but I wasn't out of breath. My heart was just beating very rapidly and irregularly. Couldn't figure out why I was having palpitations, so I quit taking it and saw my doctor. Diminished palpitations since I quit taking it, and all my heart tests and labs are normal."

3 / 10
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27 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Leo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 25, 2019

For Insomnia "Unfortunately, the doxylamine did not help at all for insomnia. I took 15 mg to start and was still awake for most of the night. When I did finally fall asleep, I kept waking up extremely thirsty. I took 25 mg the next night and again was still awake for most of the night and very thirsty. Slight heartburn as well and increased anxiety, so probably not the best if you already suffer from anxiety."

2 / 10
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15 Report
  • Pau...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 17, 2020

For Rhinorrhea "The first time I took this medicine, I fell asleep okay, but then woke up 4 hours later and couldn’t get back to sleep for about 2 hours. Not realizing the sleeplessness was caused by the medicine, I took it again the next night, and it jolted my body awake and gave me really bad anxiety. I was very tired, but my body felt extremely jittery and nervous. It gave me very uncomfortable restless leg syndrome. It lasted for hours. I’m never taking this again. Do not take if you are prone to anxiety!!!"

1 / 10
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11 Report

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  • Pau...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 17, 2020

For Rhinorrhea "The first time I took this medicine, I fell asleep okay, but then woke up 4 hours later and couldn’t get back to sleep for about 2 hours. Not realizing the sleeplessness was caused by the medicine, I took it again the next night, and it jolted my body awake and gave me really bad anxiety. I was very tired, but my body felt extremely jittery and nervous. It gave me very uncomfortable restless leg syndrome. It lasted for hours. I’m never taking this again. Do not take if you are prone to anxiety!!!"

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Pau...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 17, 2020

For Rhinorrhea "The first time I took this medicine, I fell asleep okay, but then woke up 4 hours later and couldn’t get back to sleep for about 2 hours. Not realizing the sleeplessness was caused by the medicine, I took it again the next night, and it jolted my body awake and gave me really bad anxiety. I was very tired, but my body felt extremely jittery and nervous. It gave me very uncomfortable restless leg syndrome. It lasted for hours. I’m never taking this again. Do not take if you are prone to anxiety!!!"

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Anx...
  • December 27, 2018

For Insomnia "Have been taking this med for 4 years since my husband passed, as I was unable to sleep. Started 1/4 tablet, then 1/3 tablet, now 1/2 tablet, and it is starting to become ineffective. I feel it also is affecting my mood - less motivated and a little anxious. Want to stop this med, so I don’t recommend long-term use."

5 / 10
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13 Report
  • Nik...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 5, 2019

For Insomnia "Doxylamine used to work for sleep, but after 6 months, it no longer works. It gives me restless legs for about 4 hours, then finally, after exhaustion, I fall asleep. Wake up feeling anxious and not myself. I have also put on weight when my eating habits have not changed. Would not recommend."

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Lan...
  • February 21, 2019

For Insomnia "Took one 25 mg tablet and ended up in the ER with dry mouth and brain fogginess. Doctor gave me a hydrocortisone injection. Heart rate was high, and I had to do blood tests. Doc sent me home, but a couple hours later, I woke up with a fast heart rate, 143 bpm, dizzy and blurred vision, and went back to the hospital where they gave me a beta blocker to slow down my heart rate. Since then, I have heart palpitations and anxiety. Wish I never took this tablet. Heart tests all came back normal."

1 / 10
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10 Report
  • Rac...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 19, 2018

Doxylamine for Insomnia "Meh... I work night shift and spent a good few bucks for what I assumed to be a quality sleep aid. About 10-12 o'clock, I felt horrible anxiety. I read that nervousness could be a side effect. I calmed down after my grandma rubbed my back some. I slept pretty well after that. I will try it again once more, and if it happens again, that's $10 in the trash."

2 / 10
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14 Report
  • Rac...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 19, 2018

Doxylamine for Insomnia "Meh... I work night shift and spent a good few bucks for what I assumed to be a quality sleep aid. About 10-12 o'clock, I felt horrible anxiety. I read that nervousness could be a side effect. I calmed down after my grandma rubbed my back some. I slept pretty well after that. I will try it again once more, and if it happens again, that's $10 in the trash."

2 / 10
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14 Report
  • Liz...
  • September 3, 2019

Doxylamine "Awful product, took it a few times and is giving me anxiety, panic attacks, the next day you will feel like a zombie :(("

1 / 10
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30 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.