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Published on: 7/15/2026

Should sedatives like lorazepam be avoided in people prone to sleepwalking?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Sedatives such as lorazepam (Ativan) are generally not recommended for people who sleepwalk. These medications can deepen sleep and impair arousal, which may increase the frequency or severity of sleepwalking episodes rather than relieve them. In some cases, benzodiazepines have even been linked to triggering complex sleep behaviors in people who did not previously experience them.

If you or a loved one struggles with sleepwalking, understanding the underlying cause is the critical first step before considering any medication. Stress, sleep deprivation, other sleep disorders, and certain drugs can all play a role — and the right solution depends on identifying the right trigger. Take a few minutes to complete a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights into what may be driving your symptoms and clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Sedatives, such as lorazepam, are often used to help people sleep better. However, for those who are prone to sleepwalking, these medications might not be ideal. According to the available references, sleepwalking is a type of NREM parasomnia, and sedatives could potentially worsen these sleep disorders rather than help them.

  1. Understanding Sleepwalking:

    • Sleepwalking happens during deep sleep and can cause people to walk or do other activities while they are still asleep.

  2. Sedatives and Sleepwalking:

    • Sedatives are meant to calm the brain and help with sleep, but they might also increase the chances of sleepwalking episodes. This is because they affect the brain's sleep patterns.

  3. Considerations:

    • If someone is experiencing sleepwalking, it may be better to explore other treatments or therapies that do not involve sedatives like lorazepam. Always consult with a healthcare provider for the best approach.

If you're experiencing unusual sleep patterns or symptoms that concern you, take our free AI-powered symptom checker to better understand what might be happening and get guidance on next steps.

(References)

  • Limbekar N, Pham J, Budhiraja R, Javaheri S, Epstein LJ, Batool-Anwar S, & Pavlova M. (2022). NREM Parasomnias: Retrospective Analysis of Treatment .... Clocks & Sleep, 9397000.

  • Gilat M, Marshall NS, Testelmans D, Buyse B, & Lewis SJ. (2021). A critical review of the pharmacological treatment of REM .... Journal of Neurology, 8739295.

  • Roehrs T, & Roth T. (2012). Insomnia Pharmacotherapy - PMC - PubMed Central - NIH. Neurotherapeutics, 3480571.

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