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Updated: May 29, 2026
06:49
A Laboratory Method to Measure Contagious Yawning in Rats
Published on: June 14, 2019
Drug-induced yawning--a review.
Edna Patatanian1, Nancy Toedter Williams
1College of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK, USA. edna.patatanian@swosu.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|September 22, 2011
Summary
Drug-induced yawning is a common side effect linked to medications like antidepressants and opioids. While usually not serious, clinicians should recognize the drugs that trigger this behavior.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Yawning is a common behavior in vertebrates and humans, with an unknown physiological function.
- Its regulation involves neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and acetylcholine.
- Yawning can occur early in fetal development (15 weeks intrauterine life).
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a literature review on yawning induced by pharmaceutical agents.
- To identify the main drug classes associated with drug-induced yawning.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and EMBASE (1996-2011).
- Keywords used: yawning, drug-induced yawning, adverse drug reactions.
- Inclusion of clinical trials, case reports, and review of bibliographies.
Main Results:
- Antidepressants, opioids, dopaminergic agents, benzodiazepines, and induction agents are primary drug classes causing yawning.
- Yawning is a common side effect, though rarely listed in drug summaries.
- Existing data primarily stem from case reports and limited studies.
Conclusions:
- Drug-induced yawning is generally not a serious adverse reaction.
- Clinicians should be aware of medications commonly associated with triggering yawning.
- Further research may be needed due to reliance on older literature and case reports.
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