Medications and Sleep

Pp. 60-61 (2)

Francoise J. Roux and Meir H. Kryger

Abstract

Sleep is essential for optimal mental, physical and social wellbeing (or, generically, health). Sleep disruption and/or deprivation can have adverse health consequences, promoting or worsening cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sleep-wake regulation depends on complex interactions between multiple brain regions. Many medications can have direct or indirect effects on these sleep-wake regulation regions and thus may promote sleepiness, insomnia or sleep disruption. We will review briefly the impact of commonly used medications on the sleep-wake cycle.

Affiliation:

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale, University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, Post Office Box 208057, New Haven, CT 06520-8057, USA.