Sleep disorders from medication?

Taking medication can also affect our sleep patterns and even lead to sleep disorders. We explain here which medications can make us sleep worse.

Table of contents

1. Health & Sleep Disorders
2. Medications as a cause of sleep disorders
3. 5 medications that disrupt sleep
4. Sleep well despite medication and side effects
5. Conclusion

1. Medications & sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are widespread and can have a variety of causes. Those who suffer from poor sleep should not only examine their sleeping habits but also take a look at their medication list. Especially as people age, many can no longer avoid taking important medications regularly. Side effects such as headaches, stomach pain, heartburn, or restlessness are not uncommon, which negatively impact sleep.

However, some medicines can also be directly responsible for us having difficulty falling asleep or wake up at night. Sleep disturbances can be a side effect, particularly with medications that affect the central nervous system or hormone metabolism.

2. Medications as a cause of sleep disorders

Medications help our body fight illnesses and relieve pain, inflammation, or other discomforts. However, they interfere with various biological processes, which can also significantly disrupt sleep patterns. Certain medications interfere with the natural sleep cycle. In some cases, unfortunately, sleep disturbances cannot be prevented. However, sleep is often only temporarily impaired until the body adjusts to the medication.

3. Medications that disrupt sleep

The effects of antidepressants, high blood pressure and heart medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, caffeine-containing painkillers, cough suppressants, asthma and rheumatism medications, and many other medications can lead to a loss of restful sleep. We'll show you 5 common medications that can cause sleep disturbances.

Blood pressure lowering drugs (antihypertensives)

Beta-blockers or beta-receptor blockers are used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure. They slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, thereby the heart is relieved by inhibiting the effect of the stress hormone adrenaline and the neurotransmitter noradrenaline.

These two substances are also involved in the production of sleep hormone melatonin involved! Taking beta-blockers also impairs melatonin synthesis, and problems falling asleep and staying asleep often occur because the body lacks melatonin.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants belong to the group of psychotropic drugs and are used to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and personality disorders. They generally have a mood-enhancing effect and, depending on the type of medication, can have an activating or depressant effect.

Both the so-called "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants can disrupt melatonin synthesis and thus cause unpleasant sleep disturbances. This is due to the fact that antidepressants affect nerve connections or the activity of important neurotransmitters in the brain, especially noradrenaline, dopamine and SerotoninThese hormones are also involved in regulating the sleep mechanism.According to studies, the drug-induced changes lead, among other things, to the suppression of REM sleep and a decrease in the amount of REM sleep, whereby affected patients often report increased Dream or report nightmares.

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics are used to treat states of agitation, psychosis, or mental illness and primarily affect the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is also involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Depending on the medication, it can also have a positive effect on sleep. Some antipsychotics are therefore specifically used to promote sleep and drowsiness. However, with long-term use, this effect can be reversed and disrupt restful sleep.

Drugs for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases

People suffering from Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease often suffer from sleep disorders due to their symptoms. However, medications used in therapy can also affect sleep. They affect the dopamine cycle and, especially if administered incorrectly, can have a negative psychological impact, promote nightmares, and cause movement disorders that disrupt sleep at night.

Caffeine-containing painkillers or cough suppressants

Due to its activating effect, caffeine It is also used as an enhancer in some pain or cold remedies. However, as we all know, caffeine has a stimulating and wakeful effect, which can interfere with falling asleep in the evening.

4. Sleep well despite medication and side effects

Medications are prescribed to maintain health and improve the well-being of patients. Unfortunately, side effects can never be completely ruled out, and the effectiveness of a medication always depends heavily on the individual's physical condition and medical condition, as well as the dosage. If you suffer from sleep disturbances and suspect that a medication may be the cause, your first step should be to consult your doctor and discuss your medication therapy with them. In some cases, it may be possible to change the medication or adhere to a specific time of day to avoid undue disruption to sleep.

Please remember that you should never take or stop taking medicines on your own.should have. ThisThis article does not replace medical advice.

If you cannot do without medication for health reasons, you can try to support your sleep naturally and create the best possible conditions for a restful night. For example, by improving your Sleep hygiene and Bed environment.

5. Conclusion

• Taking certain medications can lead to difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, nightmares or shortened nighttime sleep.

• Medications that can have a negative effect on sleep include blood pressure lowering drugs (beta-blockers), antidepressants, antipsychotics, drugs for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and pain and cold medications containing caffeine.