Which type of medication is known to cause sleep disturbances?

Stimulants are known to cause sleep disturbances because they work by increasing alertness and energy levels, which can interfere with the ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. This class of medications often includes not only prescription drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but also over-the-counter stimulants like caffeine. Their mechanism of action typically inhibits the natural processes that promote sleep, leading to increased wakefulness, difficulty in settling down, and fragmented sleep patterns.

In contrast, analgesics, antipyretics, and proton pump inhibitors typically do not have the same direct impact on sleep regulation. While certain analgesics may have side effects that indirectly affect sleep, they are not primarily known for inducing wakefulness. Antipyretics mainly function to reduce fever, and proton pump inhibitors are designed to manage gastroesophageal reflux disease and related conditions; neither is primarily linked to sleep disturbances.