BNSF Today

Understanding Medications and Sleep

2007-03-27

Many prescribed or over-the-counter medications have a direct effect on sleep and alertness. Some increase alertness and can disturb sleep if they are taken at bedtime. Others produce sleepiness and should only be taken with care during work hours.       

In considering the effects of medications on sleep, it is important to work closely with your doctor, to understand your options, to be aware of potential side effects, and to know what questions to ask.

Medications that may produce sleepiness include most drugs used for treating epilepsy, many drugs used for treating anxiety, some antidepressants, some medications for pain, and some cold and allergy medications.

Medications that may produce insomnia include over-the-counter and prescription alertness medications, some asthma medications, some cardiovascular or blood pressure medications, some antidepressants, and diet pills.

Many products are available that claim to help you sleep. Misperceptions about these sleep medicines -- both prescription and nonprescription -- seem to persist. Some prescription sleep medications have been proven highly effective and safe, while some other sleep aids such as melatonin and herbal remedies have gained popularity without adequate data to support their safety or effectiveness.

If your alertness or ability to sleep could be affected by medications you are taking, you should discuss this with your doctor. This is part of being a safe employee and a good health consumer.

The weekly Health Tips are part of the Your HEALTH Matters program, sponsored by BNSF’s Medical and Environmental Health group. Look for more tips at the program Web site: http://www.bnsf.com/employees/healthmatters/  

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