What is the difference between Regular ZzzQuil and ZzzQuil Ultra?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
What is the difference between Regular ZzzQuil and ZzzQuil Ultra?
The only difference between Regular ZzzQuil and ZzzQuil Ultra is the choice of antihistamine added to them. The regular one contains 25 mg of Diphenhydramine, whereas ZzzQuil Ultra contains 25 mg of Doxylamine (1,2).
Both of these antihistamines are quite alike, as they have a similar mechanism of action and they both induce sleep, hence the name ZzzQuil. You may not find anything significantly different in the regular and ultra ZzzQuil, but one may last longer than the other.
Diphenhydramine (Regular ZzzQuil) has a faster onset of action, but a shorter half-life, as compared to Doxylamine (ZzzQuil Ultra) (1,2).
This means that Doxylamine will keep you asleep for a longer period of time as compared to Diphenhydramine, but the latter will start to kick in earlier. Apart from this, there’s nothing different between the two formulations.
How to choose between Regular ZzzQuil and ZzzQuil Ultra?
When choosing between Regular ZzzQuil and ZzzQuil Ultra, it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Regular ZzzQuil can help relieve occasional sleeplessness and allows you to fall asleep faster.
However, ZzzQuil Ultra can promote better sleep quality and help you stay asleep longer. Both products are effective sleep aids, but some people may find that one works better for them than the other.
If you are unsure which one to choose, you may want to start with Regular ZzzQuil, as it contains a common and well-known sleep aid.
However, if you have tried Diphenhydramine in the past and didn’t find it effective, you might consider trying ZzzQuil Ultra with Doxylamine succinate.
Remember to follow the recommended dosage and avoid taking either product for an extended period without consulting a healthcare professional.
It’s also essential to consider any other medications or medical conditions you may have before making a decision. If you have any concerns or questions about which product is best for you, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
It is also important to note that ZzzQuil formulation should not be taken with prescription medications that can also cause sleepiness, like benzodiazepines, sedative antidepressants (Trazodone, Mirtazapine, etc), hypnotics, etc. Taking these medications together can increase the risk of sedation and related side effects.
Final words
To sum up, both of the ZzzQuil formulations can help you sleep. It’s more of a personal preference and you can select either one of them for a good night’s sleep. If you are confused about choosing the right kind of ZzzQuil, please talk to your pharmacist.
Just make sure you don’t combine the two formulations or combine either one of them with other OTC sleep-inducing formulations like NyQuil. Combining similar medications can increase the risk of disturbing side effects.
This is why it’s important to read the labels carefully before you take any OTC medications in combination.
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References
1.-
LABEL: ZZZQUIL NIGHTTIME SLEEP-AID- diphenhydramine hydrochloride capsule, gelatin coated. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=ad4babdb-d98d-420e-b8b0-9a5368c89a44&type=pdf
2.-
LABEL: VICKS ZZZQUIL ULTRA- doxylamine succinate tablet. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=c29f6f9a-7b55-30c3-e053-2995a90a9de7&type=pdf
