Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect normal sleep patterns in humans

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Sleep Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Previous research indicates nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and indomethacin can negatively affect sleep.
• The impact of other common NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, on sleep requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if ibuprofen and acetaminophen, widely used over-the-counter NSAIDs, disrupt sleep similarly to aspirin.
• To compare the effects of aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen on objective sleep parameters.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-seven participants underwent a two-night sleep study in a laboratory setting.
• Sleep was polygraphically recorded on the second night after administration of aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or placebo at specific times.
• Objective sleep measures included awakenings, time in stage wake, sleep efficiency, and sleep stage onset.

Main Results:

• Aspirin and ibuprofen significantly disrupted sleep compared to placebo, increasing awakenings and wake time, and decreasing sleep efficiency.
• Ibuprofen also delayed the onset of deeper sleep stages.
• Acetaminophen did not produce significant sleep disruptions compared to placebo, though minor, non-significant disruptions were observed across all drug groups.

Conclusions:

• Aspirin and ibuprofen negatively impact sleep quality, consistent with prior findings on some NSAIDs.
• Acetaminophen does not appear to significantly disrupt sleep based on objective polygraphic measures.
• Potential mechanisms for NSAID-induced sleep disruption involve prostaglandin inhibition, affecting melatonin and body temperature.