Q&A: Can Medication Cause Nightmares?

Find out if your new prescription is to blame for those bad dreams

I recently started a new medication and have had disturbing dreams and nightmares ever since. Could there be a connection?

Yes. Nightmares can be caused by a variety of medications. The most common culprits are antidepressants, blood pressure medications and sleeping pills. Any medication that affects the brain chemicals that move you through the different stages of sleep can cause bad dreams or nightmares. Tell your doctor about your new dream changes so he can evaluate whether you should adjust your dose or explore other options. (Sometimes the nightmares go away once you get used to the pills.) When you're awake, you can also try visualizing a better ending to your dreams. This can actually help, and eventually the new outcome may take hold while you're snoozing. Also know that the bad dreams can be caused by medication withdrawal, so you may still have them for a while once you go off the drug.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Source: Joyce Walsleben, RN, PhD, associate professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine and Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine

What do you think?