Why does my medication make me feel drowsy?
One of the most common side effects of certain medications is drowsiness. Here’s why this happens.
Some medications slow down your neurotransmitters (or brain activity). This is a chemical that helps your brain communicate with your body. You can feel tired or calm when your brain activity slows down.
Antihistamines are known to have these side effects. These are used to treat allergies, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting.
Common medications that cause you to feel drowsy include:
- Sleeping aids like diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax).
- Pain relievers like hydrocodone (Vicodin).
- Allergy medication like diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
- Antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil) and doxepin (Silenor).
Always talk to your healthcare team first if you don’t like how your medication is making you feel.
If you are an ExactCare patient and have questions about your medication, give us a call at 1-877-355-7225. Our pharmacists are here to help!
https://www.health.harvard.edu/medications/what-to-do-when-medication-makes-you-sleepy
