The use of generic Ibuprofen as a sleep aid?

Question

I am a healthy 49 year old male - not overweight and don't smoke. Periodically I have difficulty staying asleep at night - for the last 5-6 years. Sometimes I wake between 2-3:30 am and cannot get back to sleep. I have no pains, illnesses or allergies and feel fine. I get regular exercise during the day. I'm not thinking of work. My mind wanders but am not stressed. I can lay awake for a couple of hours before falling asleep again. I find that if I take 200-400 mgs of generic ibuprofen that I can often fall right back to sleep. If I don't take the ibuprofen and just get a glass of water or go to the bathroom it does not seem to help me sleep. If I take the ibprofen before I go to sleep it doesn't prevent the problem - I still wake. Any thoughts or articles? Please advise.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

This medication has absolutly no sleep aid capablities whatsoever. It sounds as if you are having a psychosomatic reaction to taking something. Your mind perceives that you are taking something to help you rest, therefore the unconscious portion of your mind obligies and indeed, helps you rest. Kind of a mind over matter kind of thing....or the placebo effect if you will. Just a thought...I see this type of thing time after time in my line of work.

Source(s):

B. Gray, RN, BSN

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Although I know that ibuprofen is not known as a sleep aid - it works for me... I tend to agree that it is probably the placebo effect. I don't take it every night. I've been told by more than once competent MD that they have heard my story before. So I'll probably keep taking it.

Answer 2

Ibuprofen doesn't work as a sleep aid in general. It just stops pain, and therefore you can sleep.

If you don't have any pains, yet Ibuprofen is still working, it is probably the effect of "drugging" yourself.

If I were you, I would see a doctor, and have him decide if it is suitable to prescribe a real sleeping pill.

Answer 3

Unless your generic Ibuprofen has a "PM formula" in it like Tylenol than it is NOT helping you sleep. It is a physiological effect. You think it should help you sleep so it does. See a physician for an appropriate sleep aid.

Answer 4

this contains no sleep aid. if you need a sleep aid get something that doesnt contain tylenol or ibuprofen. using tylenol or ibuprofen too much can have lasting effects on your liver and/or kidneys as well as your stomach. one interesting note- your body can actually develop an addiction to ibuprofen. the more you take it, the more your body needs it and will actually create headaches and other pain in order to get it.

Source(s):

i work in the medical field.