Introduction
Welcome to the world of Eat This Not That, where you can learn about the best and worst foods to eat for your health. In this article, we will be discussing the importance of never taking certain medications before bedtime, as warned by pharmacists. We will discuss the potential risks associated with taking certain medications before bedtime, as well as the best alternatives to help you get a good night’s sleep. We hope this article will help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
Never Take This Before Bedtime, Warn Pharmacists — Eat This Not That
If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, you may want to think twice before taking certain medications before bedtime. According to pharmacists, there are certain medications that should be avoided before bedtime, as they can interfere with sleep and cause other side effects.
One of the most common medications to avoid before bedtime is antihistamines. These medications are used to treat allergies, but they can also cause drowsiness and interfere with sleep. If you need to take an antihistamine, it’s best to take it in the morning or early afternoon.
Another medication to avoid before bedtime is stimulants. Stimulants, such as caffeine, can interfere with sleep and cause restlessness. If you need to take a stimulant, it’s best to take it in the morning or early afternoon.
Finally, it’s important to avoid taking certain pain medications before bedtime. Pain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can interfere with sleep and cause other side effects. If you need to take a pain medication, it’s best to take it in the morning or early afternoon.
By avoiding certain medications before bedtime, you can help ensure a good night’s sleep. If you have any questions about medications and sleep, it’s best to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Quality sleep is vital for our overall health and certain medications can interfere with our sleep patterns by causing insomnia. Knowing what time of day to take your medication can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep or tossing and turning for hours. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Katie Rocawich, PharmD, BCCCP; Clinical Pharmacist for VCU Health System who explains which medications to avoid at night and why. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Rocawich says, “Guarana is a fruit-producing vine native to South America. Its fruit or seed contains caffeine, and as a supplement is included in energy drinks and nutritional supplements for weight loss, energy, etc. Guarana should not be taken in the evening, as it is likely to cause insomnia.”
Dr. Rocawich tells us, “Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE®) an over-the-counter medication used to decrease nasal congestion due to seasonal allergies, or cold symptoms. For most individuals, pseudoephedrine causes central nervous system stimulation, which leads to excitability, restlessness and/or insomnia.”
According to Dr. Rocawich, “Both American ginseng and Asian ginseng are nutritional supplements taken for a variety of indications including increasing energy, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Ginseng should not be taken at night as it could cause insomnia.”
Dr. Rocawich explains, “Hawthorn is a thorny shrub in the rose family. Extract from the berries, leaves and flowers is used medicinally to protect against heart disease and help control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Hawthorn is a potent natural diuretic, so unless you want to be up all night racing to the bathroom, it should not be taken at bedtime.”
“Corticosteroid dose packs are commercially available tapered-dosage products that facilitate administration of steroid tapers for various indications (allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions, etc.),” says Dr. Rocawich. “Though labeled to take in divided doses (including a dose at bedtime), corticosteroids are frequently associated with insomnia. To avoid this, the entire daily dose may be taken as a single dose in the morning.”
Heather Newgen