What is it in a medication that can cause nightmares or “unusual dreams” as a side effect?
What is it in a medication that can cause nightmares or “unusual dreams” as a side effect? And what it is doing to the brain or to the body to make these dreams occur? The medications that I’m referring to specifically are inderal and lexapro. A: I’m no doctor, but SSRIs/anti-depressants (the drugs you are refering to) change serotonin (and/or other chemicals) levels in the brain. The drugs are to make you feel better by either decreasing anxiety or depression or both. So, as your body/brain adjusts to these changes in chemical balance, vivid or unusual dreams occur as well as other potential side effects. However, these side effects usually go away within 6 weeks. I don’t know what exactly in the medication causes the side effects, that would best be answered by a pharmacist or doctor. I hope that was helpful good luck and hang in there!
