Sominex

Talk nerdy to me

I hate drugs.

But! Nate’s been sick. He’s been waking me up coughing. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep all week. So tonight he’s at Jennifer’s house, and I went to CVS/pharmacy to see if I could get some sleep.

Sarah used to have Tylenol PM around the house, and despite a strong aversion, I’ve taken them once or twice when I was desperate. But, and see above where it says “I hate drugs,” I’d prefer not to take a pain reliever if I’m not in pain. What I really wanted was Tylenol PM without the Tylenol.

I took my time and compared all the sleep aids. I was looking for the cheapest one. Turns out the active ingredient in Tylenol PM, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, is indeed sold separately. The Tylenol brand is called “Simply Sleep.” But it’s the same chemical in Sominex and about half a dozen other sleep aids. The CVS brand, in a snazzy blue box (trying hard to look like, but not too like, the Sominex box), was cheapest, four bucks for 24 tablets.

Again: But. That name looks familiar. Diphenhydramine… where do I know you from?

By golly, it’s Benadryl. And the CVS brand of Benadryl was only $3.50 for 24 tablets. Exact same dosage; pink box. And fifty cents cheaper.

Now all I have to do is shut off the Little Shop of Horrors soundtrack that’s been playing in my head since I saw the Sominex, and I’ll be all set.

6 thoughts on “Sominex”

  1. If I put the amount of thought behind managing my 401(k) that you put behind shopping for cold medication I’d be emailing you from Tahiti right about now.

  2. Actually, the fact that I can spend forty minutes sitting in the aisle at CVS staring at a box of Benadryl is a pretty good indicator of just how sick I am. But I bet a week in Tahiti would help me shake this cold.

  4. I’ve taken Tylenol PM before and it knocks me out ok, but 2 hours later I’m wide awake and wired! Last time I couldn’t get back to sleep for 2 1/2 hours — kept looking at the clock (got to get up for work in 6 hours, got to get up for work in 5 hours, …). I’ve tossed out my bottle of Tylenol PM.

    Hope you are feeling better Dave.

  6. LOL, I’ve known this for years. 90% of “sleep aids” sold OTC are just “Benedryl” so buy the generic and you’re good to go.

    Never does a thing for me, though. I have a slightly better chance with good Melatonin.

Comments are closed.