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Sleeping Medication for Alzheimers Patients

Patients with Alzheimer's disease often have problems sleeping, as the disease alters the body's natural circadian rhythms. A doctor can help caregivers decide the best course of treatment needed to improve the sleep patterns of the patient---and to ensure that caregivers also get enough sleep.

  1. Sleep Patterns

    • The early stages of Alzheimer's disease often cause a patient to lose track of time, and many patients sleep in the afternoon and then wander during the night, become restless, or yell or cry out. This situation places undue stress on people responsible for the patient's well-being, as caregivers must stay with the patient when he is awake.

    Sleeping Pills May Not Be Desirable

    • Administering sleeping pills to a person who suffers from Alzheimer's disease may allow a caregiver to sleep normally, but the medications can deepen the patient's disorientation. Instead, try increasing the patient's activity during the mid and late afternoon in order to help restore normal sleep cycles. Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan) are sometimes prescribed, but these can result in confusion, lethargy and other undesirable side effects.

    Diphenhydramine/Benadryl

    • General practitioners often advise the use of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) by Alzheimer's patients to temporarily improve sleeping patterns. This sleep aid has few side effects and most people tolerate the medication well.

    Tricyclic Antidepressants

    • The doctor may also prescribe a trycyclic antidepressant---such as Nortriptyline or Trazodone---to patients with dementia to help restore a more normal sleeping cycle. Many antidepressant drugs affect a patient's sleeping pattern by lifting her mood and causing her to require less sleep.

    Non-Drug Treatments

    • Caregivers can improve the sleep hygiene of Alzheimer's patients without relying on drugs. Maintain regular meal times, as well as times for going to bed and getting up in the morning. To the degree possible, discourage her from staying in bed while awake, reinforcing use of the bedroom only for sleep. Increase her exposure to sunlight throughout the day, particularly in the morning. Encourage walking and other regular exercise, but no later than four hours prior to bedtime.

      If the patient take cholinesterase inhibitors, consult his physician to see if evening doses can be avoided, and administer drugs such as selegiline that can have a stimulating effect no later than six to eight hours before bedtime. Curb the patient's use of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine.

      Finally, if it is financially feasible, hire a nurse or other health-care professional to watch the patient when family members need to sleep.

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