Can medications cause or worsen sleepwalking?

Medications can indeed play a role in causing or worsening sleepwalking, according to the provided references.

• Sleep Aids: Certain medications that help people sleep, called hypnosedatives, can sometimes lead to complex behaviors like sleepwalking. These behaviors occur because the medication affects how the brain works during sleep.

• Antipsychotic Drugs: Some medications used to treat mental health issues, known as antipsychotics, can also lead to sleepwalking. These drugs can alter brain chemistry in a way that might trigger such behaviors.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sleepwalking and is taking these types of medications, it might be helpful to talk to a healthcare provider about it. For more support on mental health concerns, visit 988lifeline.org.