Nytol Review: Original, Herbal, One-A-Night and Liquid

Nytol, sometimes misspelled as Nightol is one of the leading sleep aids in the UK. It is found on most shelves in the UK and thought to be one of the most cost effective options for a good night’s sleep.

You see this sleep aid a lot, but do you know what makes it work?

In this article, we’ll be reviewing Nytol to see what makes it tick – and what other options you may have out there on the market.

Being such a major player in the UK market, there are various versions of Nytol on the market:

• Nytol Original
• Nytol Herbal
• Nytol One-A-Night
• Nytol Liquid

We’ll be looking at these products, how to use them, what they contain and anything else you should be aware of (side effects, potential for allergic reaction, FAQs etc.).

You’ll learn more about these tablets (some clinically proven), and if it is the best option to take before you go to bed.

Note: Do not take the Original Nytol, One-a-night tablets, or Nytol Liquid if you have, or ever had an allergic reaction to diphenhydramine. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure, have long-term sleeping difficulties, or new to medicinal product / products for sleep.

Nytol Original

Classic Nytol, the sleep tablets that are most commonly sold throughout the UK. This is known as Nytol Original. It uses clinically proven ingredients to promote sleep. It’s been in the business a while, and it works – but the ingredients are not natural. Let’s take a look.

How to use Nytol Original

To use this product, take two of the 25 mg tablets around 20 minutes before you go to bed.

Ingredients in Nytol Original

• Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride – 25 mg

Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride

This is the only ingredient in Nytol Original and it’s an effective one. Nytol contains Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, which is technically an antihistamine which is an ingredient mainly used for fighting allergic reactions. The fortuante side effect from this is that it causes drowsiness.

This makes it one hell of a sleep aid. There’s plenty of research out there that vouches for the effectiveness of Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride.

Nytol Original Side Effects

There are plenty of negative side effects which are associated with abuse of Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride.

Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dry eyes, blurry vision, morning grogginess and more.

You shouldn’t have any issues with Nytol Original if you use it as directed and do not exceed the stated dosage.

You should also only use this product if you have temporary sleep problems. It is not a cure for on-going insomnia. You shouldn’t use it for 2 weeks on end or more. Only every now and again to ensure maximum safety.

Nytol Herbal (AKA Nytol One A Night Herbal)

Herbal Nytol is definitely the most natural option when it comes to Nytol’s range of sleep aids. The ingredients are completely natural.

How to use Nytol Herbal

Take 2 tablets of Nytol Herbal around an hour before going to bed. Do not exceed the stated dose.

Ingredients in Nytol Herbal

• Hops Extract – 200 mg
• Valerian Extract – 160 mg
• Passion Flower Extract – 130 mg

Hops

On it’s own, hops haven’t been seen to have much effect on sleep or insomnia – according to some research. However, when combined with Valerian and Passionflower it has been seen to be more effective for improving overall sleep.

The only thing we would say here, is that this research suggests more that Valerian and Passion Flower there. Hops may have only gained inclusion in Nytol Herbal due to this study and anecdotal evidence.

More research definitely needs to be done.

Valerian Extract

Valerian root (Valeriana Officinalis) is a herb which is commonly used in ‘sleep’ tea.

It is commonly used to treat anxiety, and enhaces the sedative neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Although it is commonly used, and thought to improve sleep quality and fight anxiety – research shows it may only have minor effects.

Some studies suggest that a lot is needed to get the required results. 450 mg appears to the dosage where subjects start to notice an improvement in sleep.

There’s only 160 mg in Nytol Herbal – which may not be enough.

Passion Flower

There is less research on Passion Flower itself compared to Valerian – but we do know that it contains apigenin like Valerian which is an anxiety reducing compound.

It may be the most researched or effective sleep tablets out there, but it can offer some benefit in relaxing you and giving you the right mindset before you drift off to sleep.

Nytol Herbal Side Effects

We haven’t heard of any reported side effects from using the Nytol Herbal. The ingredients in it are natural and haven’t been linked to causing side effects at these dosages.

You shouldn’t run into any issues. That said, if you have any concerns, we suggest that you speak to your doctor before you use these sleep tablets.

Nytol One-A-Night

Another sleep aid from the Nytol range, Nytol One-A-Night. This is becoming one of the more popular versions of this sleep aid for a good night’s sleep. Mainly because Nytol One-a-Night is more convenient to use than traditional Nightol Original.

Why is Nytol One-a-Night more convenient? Because you only need to take one of the tablets to get the same effects as Nytol Original.

How to use Nytol One-a-Night

Take one of the 50 mg tablets around 20 minutes before going to bed.

Nytol One-a-Night Ingredients

• Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride – 50 mg

Diphenhydramine

*We’ve already spoken about Nytol Original, which also only contains Diphenhydramine, however if you’re skimming this article we’ll briefly cover it again.

Diphenhydramine is mainly used as an allergy medication as it is technically an antihistamine. It can help suppress the effects of an allergic reaction and make being around things that make you allergies more tolerable. What also happens is that Diphenhydramine also makes you drowsy.

Nytol takes full advantage of this by making you drowsy after consuming it. There’s plenty of research out there that shows use of Diphenhydramine tablets are clinically proven to be effective, but that isn’t the full story.

Nytol One-a-Night Side Effects

As we’ve mentioned before, Diphenhydramine has links to causing side effects if you exceed the stated dose. Always use it as recommend to avoid the following problems:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Morning grogginess

Always make sure you follow the instructions with Nytol One-a-Night, and the product recommends, only use these tablets for temporary sleep problems. We suggest speaking to your doctor if you are unsure about trying a new sleep aid.

Nytol Liquid

The final Nytol that we’ll be discussing this article is Nytol Liquid. This product does not come in the from of tablets like the other versions of Nytol, instead it comes in liquid form and is caramel flavour.

Here’s the low-down on this product:

How to use Nytol Liquid

Take 10 – 25 ml of Nytol Liquid just before sleeping, just before bed.

Nytol Liquid Ingredients

• Diphenhydramine

Diphenhydramine

Again, we’ve already covered this ingredient… twice. However, if you’re skimming through this article, we’ll give you the overview.

Most of the Nytol products contain one active ingredient: Diphenhydramine. This is an antihistamine which is usually used to calm down allergic reactions people have to regular allergens. However, it can also cause drowsiness – which this product uses to it’s advantage.

By making you drowsy, Diphenydramine can help you sleep faster and more easily than you would normally.

Nytol Liquid Side Effects

Again, Diphenydramine in Nytol Liquid is linked to causing numerous side effects. However, if you use this product as directed and not as a long term sleeping solution (2 weeks or more) you shouldn’t run into any issues.

However, if you exceed the stated dosage you open yourself up to numerous unwanted side effects.

Such potential problems include:

1. Dizziness
2. Drowsiness
3. Dry mouth
4. Constipation
5. Dry eyes
6. Blurred vision
7. Morning grogginess

You should Nytol Liquid as directed and always read the label before using it.

Nytol Overdose

There are recorded cases of overdoses from taking too much Nytol. Never take more than the stated dose on the bottle.

A large overdose of Nytol may cause rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), convulsions (violent spasms), delirium (confusion), toxic psychosis, arrhythmias, coma and cardiovascular collapse.

Always use Nytol as directed towards specific symptoms. Abuse can lead to serious problems especially with some of the ingredients in the standard Nytol.

Nytol and Alcohol

If you drink alcohol with Nytol may increase drowsiness and dizziness because of the diphenhydramine. Do not exceed recommended dosages and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness.

We strongly recommend not using alcohol with Nytol. We understand that in some social situations this may be harder to avoid – but persevere. The additional side effects that may follow may leave you in a much more vulnerable position.

Even taking Nytol after a glass of wine can lead to extra dizziness and may cause you issues that you don’t want just before going to bed.

There’s also other situations where you should avoid using Nytol: if you’re operate machinery, driving and other high risk situations which extra care.

FAQs

❓ How does Nytol work?

Standard Nytol contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride which is an antihistamine.

Anitihistamines are usually used to fight allergies, by blocking your body’s production of the chemical histamine – which is usually what causes the allergic reactions.

However in a high enough dosage diphenhydramine hydrochloride can promote drowsiness. In doing so it can make you sleepy and makes it easier for you to drift off.

? How many Nytol can I take?

The recommended dose for adults and children aged 16 years or more: take 2 Nytol tablets with water 20 minutes before you go to bed. Nytol should not be used by children under 16 years. Not to be used by the elderly with confusion. You should not take more than the recommended dose.

? How long does Nytol last?

The effects of Nytol’s diphenhydramine can last for up to 6 hours. If you have trouble sleeping, do not take this medication for more than a few nights in a row.

⏰ How long does Nytol take to work?

If you’re taking Nytol to help short-term sleep problems, you may feel drowsy around 20 to 30 minutes after you take it. Coughs and colds, normally start to improve symptoms within 20 minutes.