Drug-Induced Hypersomnolence.

Daytime somnolence is among the most commonly reported drug side effects. The United States has the highest rate of motor vehicular accident (MVA) deaths with sedating drug use a factor in more than 30%. Sedating drug use extends beyond drugs of abuse to sedating medications. This paper presents pharmacodynamics, performance and driving tests, and MVAs for somnolence inducing agents classified as hypnotics, sedatives, and/or sedation as a side effect. This classification, based on the drug tendency to induce next-day sedation after nighttime use, can be cogently used by prescribers, pharmacists, regulatory agencies, and in direct to consumer marketing.