This may be so simple as adjusting weight loss program, avoiding alcohol, or taking medicine at a distinct time of day.
Photo: iStock
Common criminals
Common culprits for causing sleepiness include antidepressants. Antihistamines, that are present in sleep aids or allergy medications. Antiemetics, that are used to manage nausea and vomiting. Antipsychotics and anticonvulsants, which could also be used to treat seizures or depression. medicines to treat hypertension, including alpha-blockers and beta-blockers; Benzodiazepines and other sedatives, commonly used for anxiety or insomnia. medications for Parkinson’s disease; muscle relaxants; and opioids and other prescription pain medications. Many over-the-counter medications can even make you drowsy, resembling treatments for insomnia, allergies, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Dangers of being drowsy?
Feeling sleepy throughout the day can interfere along with your quality of life, possibly impair your performance at work or prevent you from participating in daytime activities. Drowsiness can even increase your risk of falls, which may result in injury and disability, and it could possibly affect your ability to drive safely.
If you’re taking several medications that may cause drowsiness, the uncomfortable side effects can increase and turn out to be worse.
What are you able to do?
If you might be starting a brand new medication that may cause drowsiness, Dr. Carr recommends that you just avoid activities that require alertness, resembling driving, until you already know how the medication affects you.
In some cases, your sleep will decrease over time, as your body adjusts. Call your doctor in case your medication is causing excessive drowsiness or affecting your ability to drive or work. “Relieving drowsiness may simply be a matter of adjusting the diet or changing the medication that is causing the drowsiness,” says Dr. Carr.
She also recommends having healthy sleep habits to get night’s rest. Limit medications which have drowsiness as a side effect. Limit other substances that may cause fatigue, resembling alcohol; And confer with your pharmacist about whether it’s possible to take this medicine at night, once you’re already preparing for bed.