. 2011 Jul 1;34(7):845–858. doi: 10.5665/SLEEP.1112

Table 2.

Effects of commonly used drugs on sleep and waking

Drug Type	Examples	Pharmacologic Effect	Neurobiologic Mechanism	Clinical Effects
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)	Fluoxetine	Increase extracellular levels of 5-HT	5-HT inhibits REM sleep-producing cells	Decreased REM sleep
	Fluvoxamine
	Citalopram

Tricyclic antidepressants	Amitriptyline	Increase extracellular levels of 5-HT and NE	5-HT and NE inhibit REM sleep-producing cells	Decreased REM sleep
	Nortriptyline
	Clomipramine
	Desipramine

Traditional, amphetamine-like stimulants	Amphetamine	Increase extracellular levels of DA and NE	Increased DA and NE signaling	Increased wakefulness
	Dextroamphetamine
	Methylphenidate

Wake-promoting, non-traditional stimulants	Modafinil	Increase extracellular levels of DA	Increased DA signaling	Increased wakefulness
Wake-promoting, non-traditional stimulants	Armodafinil	Increase extracellular levels of DA	Increased DA signaling	Increased wakefulness

Benzodiazepines	Diazepam	Enhance GABA signaling via GABA_A receptors	GABA inhibits the arousal systems	Increased sleep
	Clonazepam
	Lorazepam
	Triazolam

Non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics	Zolpidem	Enhance GABA signaling via GABA_A receptors	GABA inhibits the arousal systems	Increased sleep
	Zaleplon
	Zopiclone

Classic antihistamines	Diphenhydramine	Block HA H₁ receptors	Reduced HA signaling	Increased sleep
Classic antihistamines	Triprolidine	Block HA H₁ receptors	Reduced HA signaling	Increased sleep

Typical antipsychotics	Haloperidol	Block DA receptors	Reduced DA signaling	Increased sleep
Typical antipsychotics	Chlorpromazine	Block DA receptors	Reduced DA signaling	Increased sleep