Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Effect of antihypertensive medications on sleep status in hypertensive patients
Ziqian Zeng1, Yanan Yang2, Yuewen Zhang2
1First Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038 China.
Purpose:
Antihypertensive medication is an effective way to control blood pressure. However, some studies reported that it may affect patients' sleep quality during the treatment. Due to the inconsistency of present results, a comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis are needed.
Methods:
Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, WEB OF SCIENCE, PUBMED) were searched up to April 10th, 2021 including no restriction of publication status. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental studies or cohort studies were eligible. The network meta-analysis was used within a Bayesian framework.
Results:
Finally, 16 publications (including 12 RCTs and 4 quasi-experimental studies) with 404 subjects were included in this study. Compared to placebo, the results of the network meta-analysis showed that diuretics were effective in improving sleep apnea with a mean difference (MD) of - 15.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 23.56, - 6.59) which was consistent with the direct comparison result (MD: - 17.91; 95% CI - 21.60, - 14.23). In addition, diuretics were effective in increasing nocturnal oxygen saturation with an MD of 3.64 (95% CI 0.07, 7.46). However, the effects of β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, and the others on sleep apnea were not statistically significant. Additionally, the effects of antihypertensive medication on the total sleep time (min), rapid eye movement (%), and sleep efficiency (%) were not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
Our study found that diuretics could effectively reduce the severity of sleep apnea in hypertensive patients. However, the effects of antihypertensive drugs on sleep characteristics were not found.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41105-022-00391-8.
Related Concept Videos
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
Management of Insomnia
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Diuretics
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

