Vicks announces OTC aid for occasional sleeplessness, ZzzQuil

The makers of Vicks®NyQuil® announced today the newest non-habit forming, over-the-counter sleep-aid that provides relief for occasional sleeplessness. ZzzQuil™ - It's not for colds, it's not for pain, it's just for sleep.

“In addition to lifestyle changes, behavioral approaches and physician care, over-the-counter sleep-aids containing diphenhydramine HCI, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are a good option for people whose only symptom is not being able to fall asleep occasionally.”

With ZzzQuil, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) enters a new product category. ZzzQuil products will be available nationwide starting June 2012.

"ZzzQuil not only helps reduce the time it takes for a person to fall asleep, but allows them to sleep soundly so they can wake up rested and refreshed," said Dave Tomasi, Marketing Director North America Vicks. "It is a sleep-only solution that delivers effective relief to consumers suffering from occasional sleeplessness."

In a recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 1 in 4 US adults said they suffer from occasional sleeplessness, with difficulty falling asleep or waking up un-refreshed, at least a few times a week.

Sleep is a vital physiological function essential to a person's well-being. It provides an opportunity for the body to rest, process information and regulate the way it functions. Simple things like difficulty in falling asleep, can leave a person feeling irritable, unable to concentrate or tired throughout the day.

"Occasional difficulty sleeping can be caused by different issues, such as stress or jet lag," said Joseph Ojile, MD, founder and CEO of Clayton Sleep Institute and National Sleep Foundation Board Member. "In addition to lifestyle changes, behavioral approaches and physician care, over-the-counter sleep-aids containing diphenhydramine HCI, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are a good option for people whose only symptom is not being able to fall asleep occasionally."

Unlike some other over-the-counter products that combine ingredients to relieve minor aches and pains with a sleep aid, ZzzQuil helps relieve occasional sleeplessness through its single active ingredient, diphenhydramine HCI.

ZzzQuil is the only over-the-counter sleep-aid medication that comes in both a liquid (Warming berry-flavor) and a LiquiCap form. It is intended for adults and children 12 years of age and older. It is non-habit forming and safe and effective when used according to package directions.