# Is taking a generic OTC sleep aid long term a bad idea? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 2, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taking-a-generic-otc-sleep-aid-long-term-a-bad-idea/992499 "2023-11-02T18:43:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taking-a-generic-otc-sleep-aid-long-term-a-bad-idea/992499/21 "2023-11-09T16:32:24Z")
This is us. But I fall asleep in about 2 minutes. The dogs have lots of beds, one of them is ours. We keep them locked in at night because they like to go out (doggie door) and ‘ask’ if anyone else is up. Well, I am now. So… once or twice a night one dog (that apparently has sleeping issues too), jumps on my chest wanting to go out and check things out. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taking-a-generic-otc-sleep-aid-long-term-a-bad-idea/992499/22 "2023-11-09T20:59:52Z")
Melatonin and Magnesium. Both are safe to take every day. Magnesium helps the quality of your sleep, and also prevents nite cramps . ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taking-a-generic-otc-sleep-aid-long-term-a-bad-idea/992499/23 "2023-11-09T21:15:45Z")
A Magnesium supplement sounds like a good thing to try. I’ll report back whether it works for me or not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-taking-a-generic-otc-sleep-aid-long-term-a-bad-idea/992499.md?page=1)