I get motion sick, so I take dramamine.
A desired side effect on a plane flight is that it makes me drowsy. At home, when I've needed a good night's sleep, I'll take a dramamine and it seems to give me a deeper sleep; ie, if I wake up at 4 to go to the bathroom, I easily go back to sleep. Check it out before you fly.

Sopminex is also Benadryl(diphenhydramine). The "extra strength" version is 50 mg, the regular is 25 mg - same stuff.

Ambien always!
M

It really depends what 'state' you are trying for. Whether you hope to be knocked out cold or simply relaxed. While I am a huge believer in prescriptions drugs for long plane ride, I would never take a true sleeping pill.

Me either, suze.

I like Ativan when I fly. Ambien didnt do it for me. I would try to get a prescription no next day hangover.

Most of you know my philosophy as a therapeutic nihilist and wine lover:
I'll pass on the free wine and take an Ambien on overseas flights (never at home) from now on.
Always have my seat belt fastened and avoid the window seat in the emergency exits so I don't sleep walk.
This stuff is pretty amazing.
M (MD, NBME; ABIM; ABMN; ABR)

Take some Dramamine, does the same thing and protects you from motion sickness. However, both are taxing on your kidneys and will make you go to the b-room get a rear seat.

S,'
A joke, yes?

why is it a joke? i get motion sickness while on flights so i take dramamine and it makes you drowsy. is that some big mystery?

Stephanie: What in the dramamine causes the increase in BR visits...that part is a new one on me...I thought it had the opposite effect.

A question regarding all these things (Tylenol, Ambien, Simply Sleep, etc.).
Do any of them allow a deep sleep?
I am interested in learning more about deep sleep and what might help with that? Or something else??
Curious, thanks,
Shadow

The sleeping aid in tylenol, is, I believe, dyphenhidramine....which is the same thing in benadryl..

you should speak with your doctor and see if he/she can get you a prescription for your anxiety and claustrophobia...I would suggest trying it before your trip to see how you react to it.

tylenol pm will make you drowsy, but may not stop your anxiety...and you may not need the extra pain killing medicine

Shadow, You need to ask a doctor or do some research on the internet about "deep sleep". You've asked about Ambien (a prescription), and also over-the-counter medications. Two very different things. And among prescriptions there are many different approaches for sleep - Lunesta, Ambien, the -zapam family, etc.

Karina123, Beware Tylenol PM... it does NOT make everyone sleepy, it makes some people (myself included) extremely wired. It could be the absolutely WORST thing for someone who is claustrophobic and panicky.

Melatonin works quite well as a jet lag helper, especially when going east, say Europe, about 5mg for first couple of nights at destination.

Would never take sleeping pills on a plane (or any other time), when flying the little "green flash" is sufficient relaxation. Go Tanqueray :)

In all our trips to Hawai'i, mainly from Houston, we've found a couple of Tylenol PMs and a couple of Jack and cokes each do the trick. You gotta do it within an hour of takeoff, and we usually rouse ourselves up about 1 1/2 hours out of landing.

i used to work for the airlines and i most def. reccomend tylenol pm. you need to take it with food, and a glass or two of wine will only help as well! i've tried ambien, (actually, a half of one) and i didn't even know what happened to me! i woke up very disoriented. with tylenol pm you rest really well, and you wake up very comfortable.

I've tried Tylenol Pm, Advil PM and Melatonin and none of them helped me. The only thing that helps me relax is a low dose Xanax.

Obvious from the replies here that body chemistries vary widely, so your solution may be different from any here. For me, it's Excedrin PM (not Tylenol PM as I may have mistakenly said elsewhere -- for me, the ExcedrinPM works better, though difference is probably all in my head!) 1/2 tablet puts me out, whole tab if I'm jet-lagged. For me, no hangover feeling. I'm extremely drug-sensitive, can't tolerate any prescription sleeping pills.

The usual side effect of just about every antihistamine is drowsiness; adding Tylenol is nice but you'd be better off just buying the house brand of Benadryl.