FAQs

ZzzQuil helps you fall asleep with the active ingredient Diphenhydramine HCI, which is an antihistamine that has been shown to make you feel sleepy. For best results, practice good sleep hygiene by removing all screens from your bedroom, getting light-blocking curtains, and turning on soothing ambient noise, like a fan or relaxing music.

ZzzQuil line uses the active ingredient Diphenhydramine HCI. PURE Zzzs line uses the medicinal ingredient melatonin. While each have been shown to be effective, you should choose the product that works best for you and your body

Because we have multiple ZzzQuil products and directions vary we recommend you refer to the product page or label for directions.

Some ingredients in our sleep aids don’t dissolve in water, but do dissolve in alcohol, so we formulate our products with it to keep the liquid smooth and consistent. The alcohol also helps keep the ZzzQuil formula stable, so it can last longer in your cabinet.

Both our ZzzQuil Liquicaps and our ZzzQuil liquids use the same active ingredient with different formulas, so you can choose how to take your sleep aid. They have exactly the same effect; we formulate them both ways so you can choose which one suits your taste and texture preference.

You should not take ZzzQuil while pregnant or breastfeeding without first talking to your health care provider.

Children under 12 should not take ZzzQuil because the medication may be too powerful for them. Do not use if you are elderly, as this drug may cause excitation rather than sedation.

ZzzQuil is recommended for children over 12 years of age.

In some of our medicinal sleep aids we use Diphenhydramine HCI 50 mg, a nighttime sleep-aid that relieves occasional sleeplessness.

Diphenhydramine HCI is a common antihistamine. Originally used to treat symptoms of allergies, such as mild rashes, itching, watery eyes, running nose and sneezing, it was soon discovered that Diphenhydramine HCI could help people fall asleep.

Our Vicks ZzzQuil products have been carefully crafted to help you fall asleep. Unlike the Diphenhydramine HCI used to decrease symptoms of allergies, the only purpose of our Diphenhydramine HCI formula is to help you fall asleep. Just like we don’t recommend using ZzzQuil to treat symptoms of allergies, we recommend that you do not use allergy medications for anything other than treating allergies, as it increases the risk of side effects and decreases the chance of successful results.