Question
Are there any ARVs that don’t cause sleep disorders?
25 October 2023. Related: All topics, Side effects.
Is there any ARV that doesn’t cause sleep disorders?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
The most common drugs that cause problems with sleep are efavirenz and dolutegravir.
Efavirenz can cause nightmares. This is a common side effect and is made worse if the medication is taken with a high fat meal.
Dolutegravir can cause insomnia. This is in about 5% of people. To avoid this it is recommended to take dolutegravir containing regimens in the morning. This means that by bedtime, this side effect has worn off and will not cause problems sleeping.
There are many ARVs. These are the two common ones which can cause problems sleeping, however it is still possible to reduce the risk of these side effects.
Are there any ARVs in particular you are considering and would like to know if they effect sleep?
Josh.
Hello Kudakwashe and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to read you are struggling with sleep nowadays.
How long has this been going on?
What changed when you started experiencing insomnia?
Sometimes this has been linked to the medication Dolutegravir.
It helps if you take it in the morning, if you are on it.
Other times, this can be linked to shift patterns, hormonal changes, or even stress and anxiety
If you want to send us more information, perhaps we could discuss this more
I’m struggling to sleep nowadays, mostly i slept after 12:00 at midnight sometimes around 3:00 in the morning