Bailey & Sophie Posted February 25, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 25, 2018 We have a l-o-n-g flight, LA to Sydney Aust next month. About 18 hours. Has anyone taken any sleep aids for long flights? I'm not talking about prescription total knock-out drugs but an over the counter type. Any recommendations? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocod08 Posted February 25, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 25, 2018 I use Tylenol PM but never used it for that long a flight. You could also try melatonin Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouhunter Posted February 25, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 25, 2018 They sell it on the plane in small bottles:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnydaysmile Posted February 25, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 25, 2018 CVS Melatonin 10 mg chews - works great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey & Sophie Posted February 25, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted February 25, 2018 They sell it on the plane in small bottles:p Ha! We upgraded and do have free liquor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted February 25, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Try these at home first. Tylenol PM knocks me out at home for a good 10 hours of sleep. Melatonin is also another sleep aid that I use. I would start with maybe 2 mg, then maybe up it if 2 is too little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsxgrl28 Posted February 25, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 25, 2018 ZQuil works wonders No drowsy side affects Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldspring62 Posted February 25, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Melatonin works great for me but almost too well as leaves me drowsy afterward. If driving at the arrival end then I don’t take them. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tel1208 Posted February 25, 2018 #9 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Try and get something containing doxylamine succinate, should knock you out. Another recommendation is trying to adjust to Australian time while you are on the plane - we had a long haul flight from Perth to Buenos Aires, so the second we got on the planes we switched over to South American time. It's hard but didn't have as bad jetlag as we otherwise would have when we eventually got off the plane at the other end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GalFitness19 Posted February 25, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 25, 2018 My mother swears by Benadryl. But for me it has the opposite effect than it does for most people and gives me the “Jimmy Legs”. Since I’m terrified of flying to an embarrassing degree, my doc prescribes a low dose of Xanax. It ALWAYS puts me to sleep. I know you’re looking for OTC but for such a long flight you may want to consider a visit to your GP. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katie_stsi Posted February 25, 2018 #11 Share Posted February 25, 2018 I recommend trying what you would use on the flight before you go in case you don’t like the effect it gives you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted February 26, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I recommend trying what you would use on the flight before you go in case you don’t like the effect it gives you. Per above ... exactly! Try before you go! Some of the drugs for sleep (even OTC) tend to have the oppositive affect and keep me awake.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARandomTraveler Posted February 26, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Didn’t California start opening marijuana stores? Maybe just eat some edibles before you leave, and you’ll probably be knocked out for the duration [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3kidsncats Posted February 26, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Costco has an OTC Kirkland brand sleepaid that works pretty well. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted February 26, 2018 #15 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I’ve never been able to sleep on a plane but a few years ago I was doing a red eye from Vegas and purchased a horseshoe neck pillow in the airport (the kind with the little beads in it). Fell asleep before the plane took off and didn’t wake up until we hit the east coast. It’s my constant travel companion now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCC3 Posted February 26, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 26, 2018 My mother swears by Benadryl. But for me it has the opposite effect than it does for most people and gives me the “Jimmy Legs”. Since I’m terrified of flying to an embarrassing degree, my doc prescribes a low dose of Xanax. It ALWAYS puts me to sleep. I know you’re looking for OTC but for such a long flight you may want to consider a visit to your GP. Sent from my iPhone using Forums I’m taking my first ever flight in June, and due to my fear of flying, my doctor also wrote me a script for Xanax. Can I ask you when you take it and how long it lasts? We have about a 3 hr flight to Atlanta, a 2.5 hour layover, and from there, to Miami. Oh, the things I do in order to cruise... [emoji849] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted February 26, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 26, 2018 We just took this flight a couple of weeks ago. We were able to sleep since the flight left very late. I am assuming this is a 10:45 PM flight. We were served dinner and tried to sleep afterwards. We didn't take anything. When we arrived to Sydney we made our way to the hotel and then after checking in we went outside into daylight and to get fresh air and forced ourselves onto the same time frame. Our challenge with jet lag was after returning home. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbjen Posted February 26, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Whatever you get, don’t take it until the plane is in the air! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GalFitness19 Posted February 26, 2018 #19 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I’m taking my first ever flight in June, and due to my fear of flying, my doctor also wrote me a script for Xanax. Can I ask you when you take it and how long it lasts? We have about a 3 hr flight to Atlanta, a 2.5 hour layover, and from there, to Miami. Oh, the things I do in order to cruise... [emoji849] I take it the moment that boarding begins. If you take it too early and the flight gets delayed prior to boarding it could wear off too early. For me Xanax is effective for about 10 hours, but I take drugs so rarely that I am heavily affected. As a previous poster mentioned, take it at home to see how it works for you. Based on your flight plan, it should work out perfectly. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havingfun2010 Posted February 26, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I would never take any drugs to help me sleep on an airplane. For an 18 hour flight, which I took a 14 hour flight, I ate dinner, the plane than darkened the cabin, asked for all windows to be closed, and I snuggled in , and went to bed. The main reasons people can't sleep on planes is due to noise, and uncomfortable chairs. however, if you are tired enough, you will fall asleep. Use earplugs, and a sleeping mask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sellwingri Posted February 26, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 26, 2018 We have a l-o-n-g flight, LA to Sydney Aust next month. About 18 hours.Has anyone taken any sleep aids for long flights? I'm not talking about prescription total knock-out drugs but an over the counter type. Any recommendations? Thanks! I think we’re on the same cruise (Radiance March 18). When is your flight? We fly from Chicago to LAX and then on to Sydney on March 15 on American Airlines. I’ve been struggling with the same question you brought up. I’ve never been able to sleep on planes, including flights to Europe. I’m going to try Tylenol PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted February 26, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 26, 2018 For those taking or considering Tylenol PM as a sleep aid -- just be aware that what makes you drowsy in this product is the antihistamine Diphenhydramine HCI 25 mg -- which is generic Benadryl. (There's no need for the Tylenol [acetaminophen] part at all, it just puts needless strain on your kidneys.) Antihistamines of course are very dehydrating; you may well wake up totally dried out, not the best thing when you are flying (which itself is dehydrating). OP: Why not consult an actual doctor, rather than the medical "experts" here on CC? :D (Perhaps a true sleep aid like ambien would be best for you in this circumstance.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mafig Posted February 26, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I use Xanax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted February 26, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 26, 2018 For those taking or considering Tylenol PM as a sleep aid -- just be aware that what makes you drowsy in this product is the antihistamine Diphenhydramine HCI 25 mg -- which is generic Benadryl. (There's no need for the Tylenol [acetaminophen] part at all, it just puts needless strain on your kidneys.) Antihistamines of course are very dehydrating; you may well wake up totally dried out, not the best thing when you are flying (which itself is dehydrating). OP: Why not consult an actual doctor, rather than the medical "experts" here on CC? :D (Perhaps a true sleep aid like ambien would be best for you in this circumstance.) Tylenol PM vs Advil PM. Note that both Advil PM and Tylenol PM contain the anti-histamine Diphenhydramine (Benadryl is Diphenhydramine-HCL). Tylenol PM contains the HCL salt at 25mg. On the other hand Advil PM contains the citrate salt at a higher dosage (38mg). So Advil PM might be a stronger sleep aid for some. Also there are well known differences between Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mafig Posted February 26, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 26, 2018 What's the difference between doxylamine and diphenhydram? Anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now