If you’re preparing for a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), it’s important to avoid medications that could interfere with the test’s accuracy.

The MSLT measures how quickly you fall asleep during the day. Certain medications, especially those with sedative effects or those that affect your central nervous system, can significantly alter the results by making you unusually drowsy or sleepy.

Medications to Avoid Before an MSLT:

1. Sedative-Hypnotics (Sleep Aids):
   • Examples:
     • Benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Lorazepam, Diazepam)
     • Z-drugs (e.g., Zolpidem, Eszopiclone, Zaleplon)
     • Barbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital, Secobarbital)
   • Reason to Avoid: These medications are commonly used to treat insomnia or anxiety and can induce sedation, affecting the ability to stay awake during the test and skewing the results.
2. Antidepressants (Sedating Types):
   • Examples:
     • Mirtazapine
     • Trazodone
     • Amitriptyline (or other tricyclic antidepressants)
   • Reason to Avoid: Some antidepressants have sedating effects that could make you drowsy during the daytime, which could shorten the time it takes for you to fall asleep during the MSLT, leading to inaccurate results.
3. Antipsychotics:
   • Examples:
     • Olanzapine
     • Quetiapine
     • Clozapine
   • Reason to Avoid: Many antipsychotic medications can cause sedation and excessive drowsiness, which may affect the sleep latency measured during the MSLT.
4. Antihistamines (First-generation):
   • Examples:
     • Diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl)
     • Chlorpheniramine
   • Reason to Avoid: These medications are commonly used to treat allergies or as over-the-counter sleep aids, and they can cause drowsiness, which may impact your ability to stay awake during the MSLT.
5. Opioids:
   • Examples:
     • Hydrocodone
     • Oxycodone
     • Morphine
   • Reason to Avoid: Opioids are central nervous system depressants and can lead to significant sedation and drowsiness, affecting the test’s accuracy.
6. Anticonvulsants (if sedating):
   • Examples:
     • Gabapentin
     • Pregabalin
     • Carbamazepine
   • Reason to Avoid: Some anticonvulsants can have sedative properties, potentially making you feel unusually sleepy during the test.
7. Benzodiazepine-like Drugs for Anxiety:
   • Examples:
     • Buspirone (though less sedating, it may affect some individuals)
   • Reason to Avoid: Buspirone is generally less sedating, but it could still impact alertness in some individuals, especially when combined with other sedating medications.
8. Muscle Relaxants:
   • Examples:
     • Cyclobenzaprine
     • Methocarbamol
     • Carisoprodol
   • Reason to Avoid: Muscle relaxants often cause drowsiness, which can interfere with staying awake during the MSLT.
9. Certain Antihypertensive Medications (that cause sedation):
   • Examples:
     • Clonidine (can have sedative effects)
   • Reason to Avoid: Some medications for high blood pressure, such as clonidine, can cause sedation and may alter your sleep latency.
10. Other Central Nervous System Depressants:

• Examples:
  • Alcohol
  • Some over-the-counter cold medications (e.g., those containing pseudoephedrine or decongestants may have stimulating effects, but those with antihistamines or sedating components can cause drowsiness)
• Reason to Avoid: These substances can impair your ability to stay awake and affect the results of the test.

What You Should Do:

• Consult your healthcare provider: Before stopping any medications, talk to your doctor. Some medications may need to be gradually reduced (especially antidepressants or sedatives), and your doctor will provide the safest guidance on how long to discontinue them before the test.
• Timing of Discontinuation: In general, medications should be stopped at least 5-7 days before the MSLT to ensure they don’t influence your sleep patterns, though this can vary based on the specific medication and your medical needs.
• Use of Medication on Test Day: Be cautious about taking medications on the day of the test unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. If you have concerns about missing a dose of medication, discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider.

By avoiding these medications, you can ensure that the MSLT results are as accurate as possible, helping your healthcare team better assess your sleep patterns and identify any underlying sleep disorders.