Which medication may be the cause of nightmares and vivid dreams in the patient described?

Which medication may be the cause of nightmares and vivid dreams in the patient described?

• A. Propranolol
• B. Diazepam
• C. Amlodipine
• D. Paracetamol

Answer: (A)

Nightmares and vivid dreams often arise from medications that act on the brain and alter sleep structure. Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that crosses the blood–brain barrier, so it can affect central adrenergic signaling and REM sleep. This disruption of sleep architecture, sometimes combined with changes in melatonin production, can lead to nightmares or unusually vivid dreams in some patients. The other drugs listed aren’t typically linked to this symptom: diazepam can affect sleep but isn’t classically associated with nightmares, and amlodipine or paracetamol don’t have a strong connection to dreaming disturbances.

Nightmares and vivid dreams often arise from medications that act on the brain and alter sleep structure. Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that crosses the blood–brain barrier, so it can affect central adrenergic signaling and REM sleep. This disruption of sleep architecture, sometimes combined with changes in melatonin production, can lead to nightmares or unusually vivid dreams in some patients. The other drugs listed aren’t typically linked to this symptom: diazepam can affect sleep but isn’t classically associated with nightmares, and amlodipine or paracetamol don’t have a strong connection to dreaming disturbances.