Pharmaceutical expert said ‘recent research has linked sedating antihistamines to rising numbers of deaths’
A pharmaceutical expert has issued a new warning about people taking types of sleeping pills about possible dangers of ‘serious harm’. Writing on The Conversation website Dipa Kamdar Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University explained that some drugs are sold over the counter at thousands of chemists around the country – and people assume they are totally safe.
However she explained people need to be aware of their side effects and in some cases what prolonged taking can do to the body. She said: “Many people assume that medicines sold over the counter are inherently safe. After all, if you can buy something in a supermarket or high street pharmacy, how dangerous can it really be?
“The reality is more complicated. Several commonly used over-the-counter medicines carry a real risk of dependence, misuse or harm when taken in higher than recommended doses, for longer than needed, or for the wrong reasons.“
On the issue of sleeping tablets, she highlighted two main brands – promethazine and diphenhydramine and said prolonged use can lead to people needing higher doses – and in fact lead to insomnia. She said: “Promethazine and diphenhydramine are sedating antihistamines sold as short-term sleep aids. Recent research has linked sedating antihistamines to rising numbers of deaths, prompting calls for a review of how they are supplied.
“Promethazine can quickly lead to tolerance, meaning higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect. Some long-term users report severe rebound insomnia when they try to stop. It is also used recreationally in “purple drank”, a mixture of cough syrup that contains promethazine and soft drinks. This combination can cause extreme sedation, slowed breathing and serious harm.”
Promethazine and diphenhydramine are both strong, sedating (drowsy) antihistamines. NHS guidance advises against taking these together, as it increases the risk of excessive sleepiness, severe sedation, and side effects like dizziness and confusion. Both are used for allergies, while promethazine is also used for short-term insomnia
The NHS advice for promethazine says:
Serious side effects
Call your doctor or call 111 straight away if:
- you’re feeling confused – you’re unable to concentrate or think clearly, or have muddled thoughts
- you have blurred vision
- you have difficulty peeing
Call your doctor or call 111 straight away and stop taking promethazine if:
- the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow, although this may be less obvious on black or brown skin – these can be signs of liver problems
- you are bruising or bleeding more than normal
- you have muscle stiffness or shaking, or unusual face or tongue movements
- you have a fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- your child becomes aggressive, sees or hears things that are not there (hallucinations) and becomes hyperactive
For more information click here.
The NHS advice for diphenhydramine says:
Call a doctor or call 111 straight away if:
- you have a fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- you feel any numbness or pins and needles
- you feel very restless
- you’re feeling confused – you’re unable to concentrate or think clearly, or have muddled thoughts
For more information click here.