Nytol (herbal) and Depression

Eccentrics · 21-03-2013, 04:30 PM

I hope this is the right place to post this!

Okay, so I'm having some mild sleep issues right now which I bought some herbal Nytol for. However, I noticed on the leaflet it says that they should not be taken if you suffer from depression. Why is this? Is it particularly dangerous? Does anybody have any experience with it?

All comments welcomed <3
- Holly

Fire Fly · 21-03-2013, 04:52 PM

I'm not entirely sure it said that. I usually take the non herbal Nytol and I don't think it said that on the leaflet.

Maybe you could go ask a pharmacist if its okay to take with your medication your on or even ask your gp.

Nothing has happened to me with the nytol x

Stellata · 21-03-2013, 04:59 PM

Well, I've taken it and I've been fine. :)

The warning is likely because Valerian can be a depressant, so use with care and very short term if you're concerned. Also, some of the ingredients interact with MAOI anti-depressants and cannot be taken with them. So they put a blanket warning.
[I know lots about complementary medicine].

Eccentrics · 21-03-2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkles x

I'm not entirely sure it said that. I usually take the non herbal Nytol and I don't think it said that on the leaflet.

Maybe you could go ask a pharmacist if its okay to take with your medication your on or even ask your gp.

Nothing has happened to me with the nytol x

It does indeedy say that if you can see from that picture! I would go and ask my pharmacist but I suppose I'm just being lazy. If other people say they haven't had any bad experiences I'll just assume it should be fine - it does seem a rather strange precaution!
Thankyou <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stellata

Well, I've taken it and I've been fine. :)

The warning is likely because Valerian can be a depressant, so use with care and very short term if you're concerned. Also, some of the ingredients interact with MAOI anti-depressants and cannot be taken with them. So they put a blanket warning.
[I know lots about complementary medicine].

Ahh, that makes a lot of sense, thankyou. :) I'm not on any MAOI anti-depressants nor have ever been, and I don't often have sleep problems so I guess I should be fine. I'll take care though and mention it to my psych if I feel like anything worsens.

Epicene · 22-03-2013, 01:43 PM

Obviously it's your choice, but I would be wary if it directly says not to take them. Given your age and some of the issues you've had with dosages of medication etc, it could be a little risky.

Perhaps speak to a pharmacist and see if they can recommend you anything else? If you're not doing so already, it might also be worth reviewing your sleep hygiene (avoiding caffeine beyond the afternoon, having a bath before bed, avoiding screens directly before bed etc). Getting into a settled routine is really the best idea.

Eccentrics · 22-03-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shed

Obviously it's your choice, but I would be wary if it directly says not to take them. Given your age and some of the issues you've had with dosages of medication etc, it could be a little risky.

Perhaps speak to a pharmacist and see if they can recommend you anything else? If you're not doing so already, it might also be worth reviewing your sleep hygiene (avoiding caffeine beyond the afternoon, having a bath before bed, avoiding screens directly before bed etc). Getting into a settled routine is really the best idea.

At first I thought "How did you know I've had problems with medication before?" but then I remembered you could have read my threads and I felt like a special snowflake for a moment! Either way I did take them last night and I feel completely fine this morning, I even have more energy than usual, so I think it was fine. My guess is I'll only need to take it for a couple days as I dont' really have any sleeping problems, but the next time I see my psychiatrist or GP or a pharmacist I'll mention it just to see what they say. I don't see the need to go out of the way unless I feel any bad effects since I've already taken it now. Thankyou :)

Eccentrics · 23-03-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shed

Obviously it's your choice, but I would be wary if it directly says not to take them. Given your age and some of the issues you've had with dosages of medication etc, it could be a little risky.

Perhaps speak to a pharmacist and see if they can recommend you anything else? If you're not doing so already, it might also be worth reviewing your sleep hygiene (avoiding caffeine beyond the afternoon, having a bath before bed, avoiding screens directly before bed etc). Getting into a settled routine is really the best idea.

Well, after saying that it seems I jinxed it. I'm not entirely sure if the nytol was the cause of it or excaberated it in any way - I did have some bad news right before bed - but I had a very bad night. When I got in to bed I suddenly felt completely hopeless and could not see the light in any way despite reminding myself there was hope. I felt completely alone, couldn't stop crying until I got out of bed, didn't feel the least bit sleepy and woke up 5 times during the night.

Despite the bad news I don't think that was my normal, natural reaction. I don't think I've ever felt so completely bleak and alone when I knew logically there was hope. I'm not taking nytol tomorrow that's for sure! I guess I'll try some natural ideas like the ones you posted. Thankyou!

Epicene · 26-03-2013, 11:48 PM

Hey,

Sorry to hear you had such a bad night. No doubt the bad news didn't help things but I think it's certainly wise to keep off the Nytol (especially given that it didn't aid your sleep).

I hope you're feeling a bit better now but feel free to PM me any time if you want to talk (oh, and yes, I had known about your medication issues from your thread!).