Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is There A Medication To Help Shift Work Disorder?
Question: Hi I just started working nights when my husband lost his job and we now have no insurance. Are you able to help with shift work disorder or prescribe medication to help with it?
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 39 year old female
• Known case of shift work disorder (SWD)
• Concern related to no insurance cover
SWD is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. It is a clinically recognized condition that develops in some individuals who work at night, start work early in the morning (4 to 7 am), or work according to a rotating-shift schedule.
Shift work disorder is diagnosed by the presence of excessive sleepiness and/or insomnia for ≥1 month during which the individual is performing shift work.
In treatment following steps will help you:
Non Drug treatment:
1..Maintain sleep hygiene: Fix time to sleep and wake up. Do not take any nap. Do not use caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) till 4 hour before sleep, use bed only for sleep, do not watch television/use net till 1 hour before sleep.
2..Prevent bright light exposure before sleeping.
3..Use of coffee at start of work in night.
Drug treatment:
1..Melatonin supplement in day time (before sleep)
2..Tab Modafinil 100mg at start of work. It promote wakefulness. But you need prescription for it.
3..Short term use of hypnotic medicines like zolpidem 10mg, if you have sleep induction problem. But you need prescription for it.
*Stop medicine ASAP (2-4 week) after adjustment in job.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 39 year old female
• Known case of shift work disorder (SWD)
• Concern related to no insurance cover
SWD is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. It is a clinically recognized condition that develops in some individuals who work at night, start work early in the morning (4 to 7 am), or work according to a rotating-shift schedule.
Shift work disorder is diagnosed by the presence of excessive sleepiness and/or insomnia for ≥1 month during which the individual is performing shift work.
In treatment following steps will help you:
Non Drug treatment:
1..Maintain sleep hygiene: Fix time to sleep and wake up. Do not take any nap. Do not use caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) till 4 hour before sleep, use bed only for sleep, do not watch television/use net till 1 hour before sleep.
2..Prevent bright light exposure before sleeping.
3..Use of coffee at start of work in night.
Drug treatment:
1..Melatonin supplement in day time (before sleep)
2..Tab Modafinil 100mg at start of work. It promote wakefulness. But you need prescription for it.
3..Short term use of hypnotic medicines like zolpidem 10mg, if you have sleep induction problem. But you need prescription for it.
*Stop medicine ASAP (2-4 week) after adjustment in job.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
For the prescriptions can you prescribe or refer me to a doctor who can. Thank you
Hello,
Thanks for follow up,
For prescription you can visit nearby physician or psychiatrist for prescription. Till that time focus on non drug treatment as mentioned above.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Thanks for follow up,
For prescription you can visit nearby physician or psychiatrist for prescription. Till that time focus on non drug treatment as mentioned above.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
