• Sleeping Stages and Need
• Airway Pressure Advantages
• Sleep Apnea Diagnosing
• Sleep Apnea Causes & treatment
• Sleep Apnea Treatment
• Causes of Excessive Sleepiness
• Child Settling Problems
• Sleep Disorders
• Sleep Disturbances
• Dreams Psychology
• What Happens During Sleep
• Excessive Sleepiness Trouble Shooting
• Common Factors Producing Insomnia
• Family Bed-Sleeping with Baby
• Teach Child Good Sleep Habits
• Know about How Babies Sleep
• How Long to Sleep and Need
• Idiopathic Hypersomnia Reasons
• Insomnia Causes
• Insomnia Treatment
• Insomnia Definition and Cause
• International Health Problem
• Medications Helps Child Sleep Better
• Medications Improves Sleep Cycle
• Hard to Get up in the Morning
• First Move Against Insomnia
• Narcolepsy Sleep Attacks
• How Narcolepsy is Diagnosed
• Know About Night Waking
• Nightmares & Terrors
• Nightmares to Frightened
• Nocturnal Myoclonus Movement
• Restore Normal Breathing During Sleep
• Oral Appliances Treatment Options
• Overcome Common Aging Sleep Problems
• Parasomnia Exam and Tests
• Pre-School Children Problem
• Factors Reducing Treatments Effects
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• School Age Children Sleep Problems
• Sleep Problems for Elders
• Sleep and Aging Problems
• Relief Social Stress by Insomnia
• Sleep Disorder FAQ
• Sleeping Related Glossary

Medications Improves Sleep Cycle

While disrupted sleep seems to be an integral part of living with Parkinson's disease, the conventional antiparkinson drugs are not usually helpful. In fact, Parkinson drugs may be the cause of sleep disturbance in some patients. For example, selegiline can cause insomnia, particularly if taken in the afternoon or evening.

By contrast, some patients sleep better on a trial of controlled-release Sinemet or one of the dopamine agonist preparations dosed late in the day, due to the long duration of action of these compounds. These drugs are probably most beneficial in those instances when the patient complains of severe immobility or tremor preventing resumption of sleep in the middle of the night. No single drug has proven to be uniformly effective in restoring nighttime sleep in Parkinson patients.

Examples of drugs used to promote and maintain sleep graphic

• Zolpidem (Ambien)
• Nefazodone (Serzone)
• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Trazodone (Desyrel)
• Temazepam (Restoril)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol PM)
• Chloral hydrate

Some of the older antidepressant drugs can also be used to promote sleep because of their sedative properties; for example, amitriptyline or nortriptyline 10 - 25 mg. can be taken at bedtime. Some patients are able to achieve a more stable sleep pattern by using diphenhydramine 25 - 50 mg. at bedtime. Available as Benadryl and many generic brands, this medication is available over-the-counter, and may also help reduce tremor and drooling in some patients. Patients should check with their physicians before using over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl.

Benzodiazepines, discussed previously for treating anxiety, are also sometimes used as a sleep aid. These drugs can be helpful in falling asleep initially, but may wear off in 3-4 hours, thus providing no relief from early morning awakening. Also, tolerance to benzodiazepines develops with regular use over time, and dose increases have significant risks in the elderly, such as over-sedation, confusion, and balance impairment increasing the risk of falls.

Graphic Establishing good sleep hygiene habits can also help one get a good night's sleep. These include establishing a regular bedtime and getting up time, limiting daytime napping, and avoiding food, excessive fluid intake, and alcohol for several hours prior to bedtime.