New use for Tylenol?

[mattcastens]

Occasionally I have run across old ladies that say they use Tylenol to help them sleep (not Tylenol P.M., mind you -- the regular stuff). I would always blow it off, thinking that it was all in their heads.

Now on some of our standing orders, the docs have Tylenol ordered at h.s. PRN for sleep!

Since I have never taken anything to help me sleep (I do just fine on my own), I just gotta ask -- does it work? Has anyone out there actually used regular Tylenol as a sleeping pill?

[Teshiee]

When I use to work LTC occasionally a patient would request tylenol for sleep.... Personally I never used it but I have heard it works for some. Like Trazadone.

[ERNurse752, RN]

I've heard of people taking it for that too...I'm not sure what's in it that would cause drowsiness/relaxation? It sure doesn't make me sleepy!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I suppose if you feel like you need a pill for sleep Tylenol would be as good as anything, without the ethical problems of a sugar pill.

I really think that after using 0.5 of Ativan for 10 years probably the effect is mostly placebo anyway. But some old ladies can't sleep without it.

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

Yes, I have seen it too. Don't understand it. But I've heard enough people tell me that Tylenol makes them sleepy to know that it does, for some--whether it's pyschological or not, I dunno. Personally, I can take two Tylenol-PMs and still be up all night.

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

I have never heard of it being used for sleep nor do I find that it has that effect on myself. Like Matt, when I have an opportunity to sleep, I'm gone! I don't need any help in that department!

I think Canoehead makes a very interesting point though. I think at that age people are used to needing a pill to do everything!

Heather

[SmilingBluEyes]

Tylenol does this to me....it does make me "relax" a bit. So much so I don't take it at work for a headache anymore....I just use Motrin. So there IS something to it, maybe? I dunno...I am weird anyhow,that much is true.

[oramar]

When my dear old mom made that claim I chocked it up to her worsening memory problems. Thanks for leting me know she is not bonkers.

[NurseDennie, BSN, RN]

I've never heard of it being used "officially" for sleep, but most of the patients I'd seen in hosp. has Tylenol PRN anyway. I had a lot of middle-aged and older people tell me that it helps them sleep. I'd sort of blown it off, as well. It doesn't have any CNS depressant or anything.

But I guess if you get some nice relief of the "walking around pain" that us oldtimers get, then it's easier to relax and drop off. I don't know, but that's my theory.

Love

Dennie

[MPHkatie]

I occasionally work Peds ER and I have had multiple parents and children of varying ages say that Motrin makes them sleepy- go figure, I have always assumed that it was because it relieved pain and now the pt could rest?

Tylenol? never knew it, but as for tylenol PM, it is just benadryl as the sleep aid, so if you aren't sensitive to benadryl, tylenol pm won't help either.

[Cooker93]

Most of the little old ladies I take care of in LTC want Tylenol at HS to relieve their aches & pains so they can get to sleep. I've used Tylenol PM and it works pretty good for me. I like to stay up late at night and if I have an early morning, I can't get to sleep.

[BernieO]

I had DVT with multiple PE in Feb. I take 2 Tylenol every night for sleep. The Tylenol takes the ache out of my legs and allows me to sleep. I work in LTC, Many of my residents have a routine Tylenol order at HS. I think that when the aches and pains are controlled---sleep comes easier.