Sleeping pills like Ambien, Motrin PM, and doxylamine are used to alleviate symptoms -including severe insomnia (inability to fall asleep or stay asleep), nighttime restlessness, and sometime for off-label purposes such as depression or anxiety.

Sleeping aids may be obtained by prescription or over the counter. Some forms are sold both ways, with strength being the factor that determines which way it allowed to be sold.

Following is a list of sleeping aid drugs. CSA indicates whether or not the drug is listed as a controlled substance. If it is, the number following indicates under which schedule it is listed.

No items on this list should be consumed with alcohol as adverse effects may occur.

More information about side effects that can occur when sleeping pills are combined with other drugs can be found online.


Prescription (Rx)
Drug nameCSAAlcohol
Ambien4X
Ambien CR4X
amitriptylineNAX
amobarbital (off-label)2X
Ativan4X
Belsomra4X
butabarbital (off-label)3X
chloral hydrate4X
clonazepam (off-label)4X
Dalmane4X
Doral4X
doxepinNAX
Edluar4X
estazolam4X
eszopiclone4X
flurazepam4X
gabapentin (off-label)NAX
Halcion4X
HetliozNAX
Intermezzo4X
lorazepam4X
Lunesta4X
mirtazapine (off-label)NAX
trazodone (off-label)NAX
triazolam4X
zaleplon4X
zolpidem4X
Zolpimist4X
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Drug nameCSAAlcohol
Advil PMNAX
Aleve PMNAX
aspirin / diphenhydramineNAX
Bayer PMNAX
diphenhydramine / ibuprofenNAX
diphenhydramine / magnesium salicylateNAX
diphenhydramine / naproxenNAX
Doans PMNAX
Ibuprofen PMNAX
Motrin PMNAX
Prescription/Over-the-Counter (RX/OTC)
Drug nameCSAAlcohol
Aceta-GesicNAX
acetaminophen / diphenhydramineNAX
Care One Sleep AidNAX
Compoz Nighttime Sleep AidNAX
dimenhydrinateOFF LABELNAX
diphenhydramineNAX
doxylamineNAX
Equaline Sleep AidNAX
Equate Sleep AidNAX
Excedrin PMNAX
Headache Relief PMNAX
Legatrin PMNAX
Mapap PMNAX
Midol PMNAX
Night Time PainNAX
Nighttime SleepaidNAX
NytolNAX
Tranquil Nighttime Sleep AidNAX
TwiliteNAX
Tylenol PMNAX
Tylenol Sore Throat NighttimeNAX
Unisom PM PainNAX
Unisom SleepGelsNAX
Unisom SleepMeltsNAX
Unisom SleepTabsNAX
Z-SleepNAX
ZzzQuilNAX
Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.