Does Aspirin Make You Sleepy?

Aspirin belongs to the class of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAIDs). Aspirin is a potent analgesic (painkiller) and an anti-inflammatory agent. It treats headaches pain, fever, and inflammation as well as on arthritis, It also reduces the chances of a heart attack.

Aspirin acts by blocking the activity of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, which ultimately reduces the production of prostaglandins (PGs) (Prostaglandins are chemicals that trigger inflammation, swelling, pain, and fever.)

Aspirin, a blood thinner, is used to prevent stroke and heart attack. It acts like an antiplatelet agent and reduces clots' formation by slowing platelet activity.

List of Medicines That May Cause Sleepiness

There is a list of drugs that cause sleepiness

• Narcotics (hydrocodone, oxycodone, and acetaminophen/codeine)
• Antihistamines (Cetirizine, loratadine, and hydroxyzine)
• Muscle relaxants (Carisoprodol and tizanidine)
• Antidepressants (escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine, and fluoxetine)
• Topiramate
• Beta-blockers (Metoprolol, carvedilol, bisoprolol, and propranolol)
• Benzodiazepines (Lorazepam , Diazepam, and Alprazolam)

Why Do Medicines Make You sleepy?

Sleepiness is one of the side effects of many medicines. They act differently and affect the nervous system. The drugs affect the chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. These medicines interfere with your brain's sleep centers, making you tired and sleepy. Sleepiness and drowsiness are among the most common side effects of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

When you feel sleepy due to a medicine, it's because the drug has control over the brain's sleep centers. The sudden alteration of neurotransmission changes how awake or tired you feel.

Does Aspirin Make You sleepy?

No, Aspirin does not make you sleepy. As discussed earlier, Aspirin is a simple painkiller and acts as a COX inhibitor. It is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic agent nowhere known to induce sleep. It does not alter the action of brain cells and nerves and does not interfere with how awake or sleepy you feel.

Due to pain, people develop distressing sensations quickly, and the body encounters a sharp, persistent, and annoying feeling. Aspirin helps to counter pain; thus, people feel relaxed and sleep pain-free. Aspirin can make you feel tired or weak for several hours to several days, depending on the condition for which you take it.

Conclusion

Aspirin is a strong painkiller and blood thinner used to treat certain medical conditions. It produces analgesia by blocking certain enzymes found in the body. The blood thinning effect is due to the antiplatelet activity shown by Aspirin.

It's a simple phenomenon that whenever someone feels pain, inflammation, and other uncomfortable health conditions, they also disturb their sleeping. When Aspirin is given, a patient feels relieved from these disturbing conditions and can fall asleep.

However research has demonstrated that Aspirin has nothing to do with sleep induction. It does not enhance or alter the sleep hormone called Melatonin (A chemical produced inside your body to aid sleep). In conclusion, Aspirin does not make you sleepy and cannot be used as a sleeping aid.