Version July 2025
| Drug class | Example agents |
| Acetylcholine modulators | Donepezil |
| Adenosine modulators | Theophylline, theobromine, caffeine |
| Alpha-2 delta ligands | Gabapentin |
| Antidepressants | |
| Fluoxetine*, escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine |
| Venlafaxine, duloxetine |
| Bupropion |
| Nortriptyline, amitriptyline |
| Phenelzine |
| Antihistamine, sedating | Diphenhydramine, doxylamine |
| Antipsychotic agents | Quetiapine |
| Antihypertensives | Prazosin |
| Benzodiazepines/NBRAs | Flurazepam*, clonazepam, lorazepam, zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon |
| Dopamine agonists | Pramipexole, rotigotine, ropinirole |
| Lithium | Lithium |
| Melatonin agonists | Ramelteon, tasimelteon |
| Opioid agonists | Morphine, hydrocodone, methadone, fentanyl |
| Orexin/hypocretin antagonists | Suvorexant |
| Sodium oxybate | Sodium oxybate |
| Steroids | Prednisone |
| Stimulants | Methylphenidates, amphetamines |
| Wake-promoting agents | Armodafinil, modafinil, pitolisant, solriamfetol |
| Marijuana | Tetrahydrocannabinol* |
An American Academy of Sleep Medicine task force recommends that the agents listed in the table (medications that can affect rapid eye movement [REM] sleep and/or nonrapid eye movement sleep latency) be tapered before the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) to minimize medication and substance effects.
A 2-week washout is generally recommended; agents with an asterisk have long half-lives, and longer washout (up to 6 weeks) may be needed. The table includes commonly encountered medications or those requiring a prolonged washout period, but it is not an exhaustive list.CBG: cannabigerol; MAOIs: monoamine oxidase inhibitors; NBRAs: nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists; SNRIs: serotonin noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors; SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
* Medication agents with long half-lives and longer washout (up to 6 weeks) may be needed.