Schiff Knock-Out Reviews

Schiff Knock-Out is a widely available non-prescription sleep aid in the $10-$20 price range. Read our Schiff Knock-Out review from one of our writers.

About Schiff Knock-Out

Each bottle contains 50 tablets, and instructions on the back of the bottle recommend a bedtime dosage of one tablet. Knock-Out contains a number of possibly beneficial supplements, but the main ingredients marketed as being effective for sleep are listed as melatonin, theanine, and Valerian. The product can be found at schiffvitamins.com.

The product should not be used by

• Pregnant and lactating women (due to a lack of research regarding many of the supplements)
• People with autoimmune conditions
• People with depressive disorders
• People with endocrine disorders
• Individuals under age 18 (From my experience, Knock-Out does not seem to have the potential to be abused or physically addictive, but this warning may be due to lack of supplemental research on those under the age of 18)

Should not be combined with

• Alcohol
• Tranquilizers
• Sedatives
• Additional doses of melatonin greater than 10mg

Melatonin, Theanine, and Valerian

Melatonin (3 mg)

Produced in the pineal gland of the brain, melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep cycles/circadian rhythms through the amount of light reaching the retina. In general, melatonin is considered safe in low doses (for sleep aid purposes, doses range from .2 mg to 20 mg)

Possible side effects include:

• Grogginess
• Dizziness
• Headaches

Possible interactions

• Anticoagulants
• Immunosuppressants
• Diabetes medication
• Birth control pills

Theanine (50 mg)

A product of green tea, theanine is an amino acid. Research is still being done on theanine, and it may be safe when used in moderation over a period of weeks.

Used to treat

• Anxiety
• Dementia
• High blood pressure
• Cancer (by increasing effectiveness of cancer drugs)

Possible interactions

• Blood pressure medication (by further decreasing blood pressure)
• Negates effectiveness of stimulants.

Valerian root extract (100 mg)

Valerian is a flowering plant and natural sleep aid. Valerian is considered to be relatively safe, but should be avoided by people with liver disease.

Possible side effects

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Insomnia

Possible interactions

• Combined with depressants, sedative effects can be increased.

What other supplements are in Knock-Out?

Vitamin B6 (.5 mg) – Known to prevent many health issues.

Calcium (200 mg)  – Essential mineral used by the human body. In appropriate doses (1000-1300 mg daily for adults), it is considered to be safe.  Can be life threatening when combined with ceftriaxone. Many other moderate to mild interactions are possible. View a list of known interactions here.

Magnesium (10 mg) – Though not as essential as calcium, magnesium is another mineral used by the human body that is reasonably safe at low doses (350 mg for adults). Death and serious side effects can occur with large amounts. Effective as an antacid and laxative with many other possible uses currently being explored. Like calcium, there are a number of known interactions which can be viewed here.

Possible side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Should be avoided by

• People with heart block
• People with kidney problems

Glycine (40 mg) – A protein building amino acid. The majority of people experience no side effects, and glycine appears to be healthy when taken orally

Used to treat

• Leg ulcers
• Schizophrenia
• Also known to restrict brain damage for several hours following ischemic strokes

Possible interactions

• May reduce performance of the antipsychotic drug Clozapine.

GABA (100 mg) – A chemical neurotransmitter of the Central Nervous System. Not much is currently known about possible interactions and side effects, but GABA is thought to be fairly safe when taken orally for up to three months.

Used to treat

• Motion Sickness
• High blood pressure

Schiff Knock-Out Review

Noting the lack of research and the amount of possible interactions for all of these supplements, caution should be exercised when using this product. However, I have used Knock-Out approximately 100 times without negative incident, and the only side effects I have experienced are the tendency towards vivid dreaming and an occasional grogginess after awakening. Knock-Out has been a very effective sleep aid for me.  About 30 minutes after ingestion, a drowsiness sets in that is very conducive to falling, and staying, asleep (you wouldn’t want to operate heavy machinery or drive after taking Knock-Out). The drowsy feeling seems to last for about an hour before wearing off. On several occasions, this feeling has passed before I could fall asleep, and it becomes more difficult to fall/stay asleep afterwards.

In comparison with 5-15mg of melatonin as a sleep aid, Knock-Out is much more effective. Melatonin also helps me fall/stay asleep, but using it alone is much more subtle than Knock-Out.

The tablets are rather large, so be aware of this if you experience anxiety about swallowing pills. Also, Valerian root has a naturally pungent and somewhat unpleasant odor that is definitely detectable in the bottle and tablets.

Bottom Line

Knock-Out is a somewhat pricey cocktail of supplements that is an effective non-prescription sleep aid. However, the FDA has not evaluated this product. Caution should be exercised due to a lack of research on some of the supplements, and  particular attention should be given to known (or possible) interactions with other substances.