Could acetaminophen-codeine, amlodipine, aspirin, atorvastatin, isosorbide mononitrate ER, metoprolol succinate ER, neomycin-polymyxin B-dexamethasone, nitroglycerin, or ranolazine ER cause night sweats?

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Last updated: October 8, 2025View editorial policy

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Medications That Can Cause Night Sweats in Your Medication List

Acetaminophen-codeine is the most likely medication in your list to cause night sweats, as opioids are well-documented to cause this side effect. 1

Medications in Your List That Can Cause Night Sweats

  • Acetaminophen-codeine (300mg-30mg): Opioids, including codeine, are known to cause night sweats as a side effect 1, 2. The British Journal of Pharmacology specifically identifies opioids and opiates as medications that can trigger night sweats 1.

  • Amlodipine (2.5mg): Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine have been reported to cause night sweats in some patients 1. The European Urology journal notes this association 1.

  • Metoprolol succinate ER (25mg): Beta-blockers can occasionally cause sweating as a side effect, though this is less common than with opioids 3. Medications that affect the sympathetic nervous system can influence sweating patterns 4.

Medications Less Likely to Cause Night Sweats

  • Aspirin (81mg): While NSAIDs with prolonged use can potentially cause night sweats 1, low-dose aspirin is less likely to cause this side effect compared to other medications on your list.

  • Atorvastatin (20mg): Statins are not commonly associated with night sweats in the medical literature 2, 5.

  • Isosorbide mononitrate ER (30mg): Nitrates are not typically associated with night sweats as a common side effect 5.

  • Neomycin-polymyxin B-dexamethasone eye ointment: Topical medications applied to the eyes generally do not cause systemic effects like night sweats 5.

  • Nitroglycerin (0.4mg): Similar to isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin is not commonly associated with night sweats 5.

  • Ranolazine ER (500mg): This medication is not prominently linked to night sweats in the medical literature 5.

Mechanism of Medication-Induced Night Sweats

Night sweats from medications typically occur through:

  • Disruption of the autonomic nervous system regulation of body temperature 4
  • Alteration of peripheral vasodilation mechanisms 4
  • Effects on neurotransmitters that regulate sweating, particularly norepinephrine 4

Management Considerations

If you're experiencing troublesome night sweats:

  • Consider discussing with your healthcare provider about adjusting the timing of your codeine-containing medication to earlier in the day 2
  • For the amlodipine, your provider might consider alternative antihypertensive medications if night sweats are significantly affecting your quality of life 3
  • Do not discontinue any medications without consulting your healthcare provider 5

Other Potential Causes to Consider

If medication adjustment doesn't resolve the night sweats, other common causes include:

  • Infections (including tuberculosis) 2
  • Endocrine disorders (thyroid dysfunction) 5
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease 5
  • Obstructive sleep apnea 2
  • Malignancies (though less common) 5

Remember that night sweats alone, without other concerning symptoms, generally do not indicate an increased risk of mortality 5.

References

Guideline

Medications That Cause Night Sweats

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

Diagnosing night sweats.

American family physician, 2003

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Persistent Night Sweats: Diagnostic Evaluation.

American family physician, 2020

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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