Sedatives & Hypnotics
Doxylamine (Unisom) Abuse
Street names: Unisom, Doxylamine, OTC sleep pills
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Sedation, drowsiness
- Anticholinergic high at abuse doses (like DPH)
⚠Key risks
- Same deliriant/anticholinergic risks as Benadryl abuse
- Heart arrhythmia at high doses
- OTC = easy teen access
- Next-day impairment (driving, school)
- Dependency on sleep aids
✚Overdose signs
- Delirium, hallucinations
- Racing heart
- Urinary retention
Category comparison — Sedatives & Hypnotics
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doxylamine (Unisom) Abuse | OTC — unrestricted | Same deliriant/anticholinergic risks as Benadryl abuse; Heart arrhythmia at high doses | $5–$10 OTC |
| Zolpidem (Ambien/Stilnox) | Schedule IV | Sleep-walking, sleep-driving, hallucinations; Dependence and rebound insomnia | ~$2–$10 per 10 mg tablet |
| Secobarbital (Seconal) | Schedule II | Barbiturates: tiny margin between dose and death; Fatal in overdose, brutal withdrawal (seizures) — replaced by benzos in medicine | ~$15–$40 per capsule where diverted |
| Carisoprodol (Soma) | Schedule IV | Converts to meprobamate (Miltown) — dependence; Popular 'Soma Coma' mix with opioids — deadly | ~$1–$8 per 350 mg tablet |
| Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) | Not scheduled | Overdose causes hallucinations, seizures, heart rhythm problems; Abuse usually in combination (potentiates opioids) | ~$1–$5 per 10 mg tablet |
| Pentobarbital (Nembutal) | Schedule II | Veterinary euthanasia drug — overdose is usually fatal; Narrow safety margin (barbiturate) | ~$30–$100+ per vial/capsule-equivalent |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Doxylamine (Unisom) Abuse look like?
Blue/pink sleep-aid tablets (25 mg)
What are the signs of a Doxylamine (Unisom) Abuse overdose?
Delirium, hallucinations; Racing heart; Urinary retention Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
Same deliriant/anticholinergic risks as Benadryl abuse Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.