Table 2.
Frequently Used Headache Drugs and Their Possible Effect on Sleep
| Headache Drug | Possible Sleep-Related Adverse Side-Effects |
|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Dampens amplitude of nocturnal melatonin |
| Lowers sleep efficiency | |
| Worsens sleep disordered breathing | |
| Triptans and ergots | Somnolence |
| Decreases REM sleep | |
| Serotonin antagonists | Increase wakefulness, reduces sleep |
| Insomnia | |
| Boosts NREM sleep | |
| Beta-blockers | Tiredness |
| Insomnia | |
| Parasomnias and vivid dreams | |
| Lower melatonin – reduced circadian signal | |
| Antidepressants | Delayed REM-onset |
| Reduced REM-density | |
| Increased sleep fragmentation | |
| Worsens/induces RLS | |
| Worsens/induces PLMD | |
| Reduces dream recall | |
| Anticonvulsants | Increased REM, reduced latency |
| Somnolence/Insomnia | |
| Reduces RLS and PLMD | |
| Melatonin | Increases sleep efficiency |
| Possible effect on REM density | |
| Reduces symptoms of RBD | |
| Phase shift | |
| Corticosteroids | Insomnia |
| Reduces REM | |
| Increases nocturnal awakenings | |
| Lithium | Reduces REM |
| Enhances SWS | |
| Phase lengthening | |
| Enhances amplitude of circadian signal | |
| Worsens RLS | |
| Ca-channel antagonists | Drowsiness |
| Fatigue | |
| Insomnia | |
| Vivid dreaming | |
| Caffeine | Boosts SWS in second sleep cycle |