Check medications for negative side effects to sleep
Medications and medicines can have unexpected side effects that may be robbing you of sleep quality while they're working to help your health problem.
Be sure to thoroughly discuss your medications, and their side effects, with your physician and/or pharmacist. Be aware of their side effects, especially as they affect your sleep. Loss of high-quality sleep over the long-term can be counter-productive to achieving and maintaining your health.
Medicine can disrupt the normal balance of the body and can often lead to a disruption in sleep, or insomnia. Many people have no idea that medications can alter and interfere with normal sleeping pattern. Oftentimes people attribute their sleep problems to the ailment and not the cure. Even sleeping pills can have a negative impact on sleep.
Here is a short list of some medicine types that can adversely affect sleep:
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Sleeping medications
- Antidepressants
- Weight loss medication
- Theophylline (asthma-related medications)
Antihistamines may cause a person to become drowsy and, when taken during the day, they may cause sleepiness that may interfere not only with your job and your driving, but also with your later sleep. Decongestants, on the other hand, can cause jitteriness, excitability, insomnia and fatigue, and if taken too close to bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep.
If you're taking one of these over-the-counter remedies, be sure to read about its possible side effects, and ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain the side effects. Because of so many different brands with differing combination's of ingredients and strengths available, it is even more important that you read closely their information and know their side effects and conditions of use before using them.
Most over-the-counter cold remedies contain some combination of acetaminophen and various decongestants, antihistamines, and cough suppressants. Some experts believe that these ingredients may work against one another. If a cold is making you extremely uncomfortable and you feel you must take something for it, you may want to consider taking a single-ingredient product appropriate for the particular symptom you are treating. Read the labels, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for their recommendations.
Sleeping medications
Sleep medications can sometimes amplify or make worse the exact problem they are designed to help. This is because many sleep medicines override the body's natural sleep mechanisms, making the body "forget" how to lull itself to sleep without assistance. For this and other reasons and risks, most sleeping pills are recommended to be used only for short durations and should be used only under the direction of your doctor.
Be sure to discuss with your physician the conditions of use, risks and side effects of all sleeping medications before using them, and be sure to understand the length of time sleep medications are intended for use. Keep in mind that some sleeping pills have addictive qualities.If you have chronic insomnia, you'll want to consult with your doctor to identify and remove or treat the underlying cause(s) of the insomnia. Oftentimes, all that is needed are some positive changes or adjustments in your lifestyle, along with upgrading to the best bed and pillow.
Antidepressants
Because depression can have such an impact on sleep, antidepressants may play a role in your sleeping too. However, while some antidepressants may help sleeping, some are linked to causing sleep-related problems either directly or indirectly. Be sure to discuss this with your physician prior to beginning any course of medication, or if you think your current medicine may be affecting how you sleep.
Weight loss medications
Weight loss medications often contain some types of diuretic, and/or stimulant such as caffeine to increase the body's metabolism rate. The stimulants can excite the mind and make it difficult to fall asleep. Diuretics can cause people to awaken during the night to go to the bathroom. Also, depending on your unique situation, other specific side effects may directly or indirectly affect your sleep. Consult with your doctor about potential impacts on your sleep.
Theophylline (asthma-related medication)
Theophylline and other asthma and related medications have been studied in regard to their possible effect on sleep. While helping clear airways, there may be some reduction of time asleep and/or soundness of sleep. If you are using these medications and notice any adverse change in your sleep behavior, be sure to bring it to the attention of your doctor.
SummarySide effects of medication use can directly or indirectly affect your sleep. Discuss their effects on your sleep with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow their recommendations.
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