HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Sleep Aids To Be Taken While Suffering From Seizures

default
Posted on Wed, 6 May 2015
Question: hi I had taken htp-5 with other vitamins which induced seizure like symptoms from too much serotonin. Now I want to take a sleep aid. I need it desperately. which is rather to take zzzquil (diphenhydramine) or Midnite PM ( melatonin). which one will be most effective and not evoke seizure symptoms. I have a sensitivity now. Please tell me which sleep aid to attempt. thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
melatonin will not evoke seizure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us.I read your query and can understand your concern.

From options you mentioned diphenhydramine can cause seizure in rare cases while melatonin rather reduces risk of seizures. So among them I would advise you to take melatonin as a sleep aid.

From effectiveness point of view melatonin is a sleep aid but not as potent as benzodiazepine group of drugs.

If you have found melatonin as useful sleep aid in past you can go for the same as per your doctor's advise.

And if you cannot get enough sleep with melatonin, you can go for any benzodiazepine after consulting your doctor.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Neurologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Suggest Sleep Aids To Be Taken While Suffering From Seizures

Brief Answer: melatonin will not evoke seizure Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us.I read your query and can understand your concern. From options you mentioned diphenhydramine can cause seizure in rare cases while melatonin rather reduces risk of seizures. So among them I would advise you to take melatonin as a sleep aid. From effectiveness point of view melatonin is a sleep aid but not as potent as benzodiazepine group of drugs. If you have found melatonin as useful sleep aid in past you can go for the same as per your doctor's advise. And if you cannot get enough sleep with melatonin, you can go for any benzodiazepine after consulting your doctor. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.