What meds cause nightmares?

Some medications can cause nightmares as a side effect. These include:

- Antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)

- Antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and risperidone (Risperdal)

- Other psychiatric medications, such as lithium and trazadone

- Beta-blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), and propranolol (Inderal)

- Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), and verapamil (Calan)

- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and dexamethasone

- Nasal decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)

- Stimulants, such as caffeine, nicotine, and amphetamines

- Alcohol and drug withdrawal

If you are experiencing nightmares as a side effect of medication, talk to your doctor. They may be able to lower your dose, try a different drug, or recommend other ways to manage your nightmares.