Can Medical Drugs Cause Insomnia? Yes, They Can

As you grow older, your sleep patterns undergo a change. The likelihood that you will develop insomnia is very high and it is not an uncommon phenomenon among the elderly. Reports say that the elderly often find it hard to fall asleep, sleep well for long hours, or cannot help sleeping intermittently during different parts of the day. Older adults frequently wake up during the night, rise earlier and are more likely to feel unrested even after they have slept.

Sleep disturbances can be caused by medical conditions, such as pain or discomfort, gastrointestinal distress, lung disease frequent urination, and heart conditions. Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and Alzheimer's disease are some neurological disorders that can affect sleep patterns.

Health problems can cause insomnia. This statement is as true as the fact that medicines can also insomnia. But, not all medications cause insomnia. Here is a list of medicines that are known to be the cause for insomnia.
1. Alpha-blockers

These are usually prescribed for hypertension,  Raynaud's disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They relax some muscles in the body and help in keeping the small blood vessels open. They improve blood flow and lower blood pressure by restricting the tightening the muscles in the walls of smaller veins and arteries. These drugs are also known to improve the flow of urine, especially in older men with prostate problems. Alfuzosin (Uroxatral), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin) and tamsulosin (Flomax) are some alpha-blockers.

Alpha-blockers are the cause for decreased REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and daytime sedation. REM is the stage when people dream and this drops in old age. The solution would be to switch to another form of blood pressure medication, such as benzothiazepine calcium channel blockers.
2. Beta-blockers

These drugs are typically prescribed for treating arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and hypertension. They basically make the heart rate slower and reduce blood pressure by blocking the effect of adrenaline. They are also used for the treatment of angina, tremors, migraines, certain kinds of glaucoma. Some common beta-blockers are atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Timoptic), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), and propranolol (Inderal).

Beta-blockers inhibit the night time secretion of melatonin. This hormone is responsible for regulating sleep and the circadian clock. Low levels of melatonin can cause sleep disturbances, including frequent awakenings at night. Studies have also reported that they can cause nightmares. The solution could be using benzothiazepine calcium channel blockers, an alternate form of blood pressure medication.
3. Corticosteroids

These are used for treating inflammation of muscles and blood vessels and for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, allergic reactions, and gout. Some common cortisteroids include cortisone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone. Just as stress can keep you awake as it stimulates the adrenal glands, corticosteroids can do the same. They can restrict all the systems that relax the body and allow you to relax and sleep. This causes insomnia and unpleasant dreams.
4. SSRI antidepressants
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are administered for the treatment of depression. These drugs ease depression by blocking reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Some common SSRI antidepressants include citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and sertraline (Zoloft).

It is still not clear how these drugs interfere with sleep. If you are being treated for depression and have insomnia, you need to consult your doctor as antidepressants are known to have varied side effects. It is always possible that a change in the dosage or starting on another medication may help.

5. Angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs)

These drugs are used for treating coronary artery disease. They are also administered to patients with type 2 diabetes or kidney disease from diabetes as well as those who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors. ARBs do not block the body's production of angiotensin II, but prevent it from constricting blood vessels.

As ARBs lead to potassium overload in the body, leg cramps, achy joints, bones and muscles and diarrhea are common among people who take them. This can cause disturbances in normal sleep.

The other types of drugs that can cause insomnia include ACE inhibitors, cholinesterase inhibitors, second-generation (nonsedating) H1 antagonists, glucosamine and chondroitin, and statins.

Insomnia, whether short-term or long-term, is known to sap the energy of people. It affects the moods and can put your health at risk. The quality of life and work performance also get affected not only saps your energy and affects your mood, but also can put your health. They can also lead to accidents.

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