Medicines That May Cause Nightmares And Vivid Dreams
Medicines That May Cause Nightmares And Vivid Dreams
Los Angeles pharmacy, Prescription medications
Some drugs have the potential to have an adverse impact on your dreams. Numerous drugs have
unanticipated adverse effects that can include vivid dreams and nightmares. It’s helpful to be aware of
some of the most typical offenders even though they don’t happen to everyone. As a Los Angeles
pharmacy, we share the details of some of the most common medicines that may cause vivid dreams
and nightmares.
Metoprolol And Other Beta-Blocking Medications
Some of the most popular prescription medications associated with troubled dreaming include beta
blockers. According to one study, nearly one-third of those who experienced nightmares were also using
a beta-blocker.
Beta blockers are used to treat heart-related illnesses such as excessive blood pressure. But they also
prevent the body from producing melatonin, a substance that aids in controlling sleep. Less melatonin
may be a factor in issues with sleep, such as nightmares and insomnia.
Antidepressants Such As Prozac
Depression and other mental health issues are treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs). They consist of antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft),
and citalopram (Celexa) that increase the brain’s serotonin levels. While this could lift your spirits, it can
also interfere with sleep and have a significant impact on dreams.
Sertraline is one SSRI that has been shown to intensify dreams. Additionally, fluoxetine makes it more
likely that you’ll recall your nightmares. In addition, certain SSRIs prevent rapid eye movement (REM)
sleep. This alters the body’s natural sleep cycle, which can make nightmares more likely.
Antihistamines
Allergies frequently require the use of antihistamines. You may experience sleepiness after taking first-
generation antihistamines such as doxylamine (Unisom SleepTabs) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl,
ZzzQuil). As a result, they can also be found in many over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids.
The first-generation antihistamine chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Aller-Chlor) in particular has been
linked to nightmares. This may contribute to the fact that it is only present in over-the-counter allergy
treatments and is rarely used for sleep. Cetirizine (Zyrtec)-induced sleep terrors have also been
documented. Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine. Cetirizine may induce more sleepiness
than the other drugs in this family.
Melatonin And Other Over-The-Counter Supplements
A common over-the-counter remedy for jet lag or sleeplessness is melatonin. To aid in sleep, your body
naturally creates melatonin. In theory, more melatonin should make it simpler for you to fall asleep.
However, it may also bring on nightmares.
Other over-the-counter medicines can also induce vivid dreams. For instance, ashwagandha and valerian
are both used to treat insomnia and anxiety. You should be aware of any adverse effects and drug
combinations before taking these herbal supplements.