I'm going to be taking a flight to America. Am I able to buy sleeping tablets to help

wherearewe45

I've taken a few long haul flights before and to put it mildly, I find them to be a nightmare, I can never get comfortable enough to sleep and it just means I arrive tired and cranky. Secondly I've never taken sleeping tablets before so not sure if I need a prescription or if they would be confiscated as soon as I go through airport security. Ideally I'd like to get some for both legs of the trip and keep what I don't use for the return leg.

Can anyone advise me?

HeidiHeidi

I took half a sleeping pill on a long-haul flight a couple of years ago, and I had a two-day hangover from it. Never again!

I know half the world seems to take them with no ill-effects, but certainly for me it wasn't the solution - being just tired is far preferable.

dennyk

There are many different kinds of "sleeping tablets"; what medication specifically are you considering?

Many OTC sleep aids are just first-generation antihistamines, which cause drowsiness as a side effect. Those are most likely legal to bring to the US, though you'll want to double check all of the active ingredients just in case. Note that these do not provide proper sleep and aren't likely to help you feel rested after your flight, though they might put you out for a while so you at least don't have to suffer through it wide awake.

If you bring a prescription sleep aid, you should only bring it in the original bottle with the original prescription label. You also need to research the drug in question and make sure that it is legal with a prescription in the US; some prescription drugs that are legal in Ireland may be illegal in the US. It is illegal to possess a prescription-only drug without a valid prescription in the US, and depending on the class of drug, you could be facing a serious felony charge if you are found to be in possession of one and cannot produce a valid prescription.

Also, keep in mind that some prescription sleep aids can cause uncomfortable or unusual side effects. An international flight might not be the best environment in which to try an Ambien for the first time, for example, lest you end up waking up in federal custody because you got up to some sort of mischief while blacked out and sleepwalking. Also not the best place to find out you're allergic to whatever drug you're taking for the first time.

irishgeo

dennyk wrote: »

There are many different kinds of "sleeping tablets"; what medication specifically are you considering?

Many OTC sleep aids are just first-generation antihistamines, which cause drowsiness as a side effect. Those are most likely legal to bring to the US, though you'll want to double check all of the active ingredients just in case. Note that these do not provide proper sleep and aren't likely to help you feel rested after your flight, though they might put you out for a while so you at least don't have to suffer through it wide awake.

If you bring a prescription sleep aid, you should only bring it in the original bottle with the original prescription label. You also need to research the drug in question and make sure that it is legal with a prescription in the US; some prescription drugs that are legal in Ireland may be illegal in the US. It is illegal to possess a prescription-only drug without a valid prescription in the US, and depending on the class of drug, you could be facing a serious felony charge if you are found to be in possession of one and cannot produce a valid prescription.

Also, keep in mind that some prescription sleep aids can cause uncomfortable or unusual side effects. An international flight might not be the best environment in which to try an Ambien for the first time, for example, lest you end up waking up in federal custody because you got up to some sort of mischief while blacked out and sleepwalking. Also not the best place to find out you're allergic to whatever drug you're taking for the first time.

Just to add as per the last paragraph you certainly don't want to mix any of them with even alcohol.

kindalen

Am aware of a few people who take them, one couple who are nervous about long haul tried a few different brands beforehand. Have seen parents of one family on a flight take them and basically left kids to be looked after by staff!

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Lux23

I never sleep on flights - I always find that when I get to my destination I am pretty excited so the tiredness sort of evaporates. You could try those Panadol that come in a purple box, maybe test it out sitting in a chair? I would be wary about taking a sleeping pill unless you're used to them.

coylemj

You also need to be careful when you pop the pill because if you do it early and the flight is delayed, you could be sitting in the terminal like a zombie and miss the call for your flight.

I was a bit of a nervous passenger but I find that travel ear plugs help with the air pressure (you can take them out when you reach cruising altitude and the seatbelt sign goes out) and a few beers along the way helps.

endofrainbow

if you have never taken a sleeping pill before , don't take one on a flight - you don't know how you are going to react. Try Rescue Remedy . consult your doctor

finbarrk

I wouldn't take one on the outbound flight if it's a morning departure. But on the evening/night return journey departures I always take one. Tylenol PM. Or something similar. Can be bought over the counter in the USA. You get a can of about 100 pills for about $10/$20. Can be got on ebay also.

FrancieBrady

finbarrk wrote: »

I wouldn't take one on the outbound flight if it's a morning departure. But on the evening/night return journey departures I always take one. Tylenol PM. Or something similar. Can be bought over the counter in the USA. You get a can of about 100 pills for about $10/$20. Can be got on ebay also.

I was told to use that when flying from Oregon to Amsterdam once (14 hours I think)
A few Tylenol PM's and a glass of beer on the flight and I slept for 9 hours, more or less. Brilliant! But taker beware I suppose.

kerry4sam

Thread closed by me.

Please consult your GP prior to travel.

Thanks,
kerry4sam