Table 2.
Older patients take an average of 5-9 daily medications, some ofwhich can interfere with sleep and wakefulness [12, 13].
|
| Sedative antidepressants and neuroleptics (amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, clozapine) |
Impaired performance and daytime drowsiness |
|
|
| Sedative antidepressant amitriptyline |
Anticholinergic effects, possible confusion |
|
| Sedative hypnotics (chronic use) |
Drug withdrawal effects, daytime drowsiness |
|
| Beta-blockers (lipophilic compounds - metoprolol, propranolol) |
Difficulty falling asleep, increased number of awakenings, vivid dreams |
|
| Xanthines (theophylline, caffeine - in over the counter medications eg. analgesics, cold and allergy remedies, appetite suppressants) |
Increase wakefulness, decrease total sleep duration and slow wave sleep duration |
|
| Cold and allergy remedies (containing caffeine and stimulatory decongestants (phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine) |
Stimulatory effects, headaches, dizziness, restlessness |
|
| Diet pills (containing phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, caffeine) |
Stimulatory effects |
|
| Nicotine |
Stimulatory effects, difficulty falling asleep, decreased sleep duration |
|
|
|
