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What Causes Profuse Night Sweats In An Elderly Person?

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Posted on Tue, 21 Feb 2017
Question: Hello,
I'm 81 years old and have terrible night sweats. After tests, my doctor says perhaps it's because of
a med. I'm taking. Do you know of any medications that cause night sweats?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
probably not...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

there are some drugs that may cause increased sweating (as an uncommonly occurring side effect) but not specifically during the night, although with the overwhelming number of drugs I can't be absolutely sure that no drug causes it. If I knew which drugs you use, I could tell you whether they cause any side effect or not.

Night sweats may be caused by various disorders including hematologic malignancies, infections (HIV, endocarditis, lung infections, etc), hyperthyroidism, diabetes, various autoimmune disorders, sleep apnea, serious heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, etc.

Before attributing any symptom to side effects, all other potential causes should be ruled out particularly if the presumed side effect is not common.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
If you'd like to inform me about your current regimen, I'll be glad to give you a more specific answer.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (19 minutes later)
I've had three cardiac stents and one small MI (4th stent failed). I take the following meds daily: Plavix 75mg, Toprol 100mg, Pantoprozole, Lexapro 20mg
Pravastatin, Aspirin 81mg.

So, I'm a cardiac patient with sleep apnea, and the night sweats started three years ago after back surgery. The first night after surgery I awoke drenched - the nurse had to help me change my gown and bedsheets. I've had the same drenching night sweats ever since.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
please check my comments about the drugs

Detailed Answer:
Some of the drugs (like toprol, lexapro, pantoprazole) may indeed cause increased sweating. If you're talking about night sweats only then I can't confirm it can be attributed to the drugs only. Perhaps the combination of sleep apnea with some degree of heart failure has to do with it, if there's no apparent cause.

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3810 Questions

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What Causes Profuse Night Sweats In An Elderly Person?

Brief Answer: probably not... Detailed Answer: Hello, there are some drugs that may cause increased sweating (as an uncommonly occurring side effect) but not specifically during the night, although with the overwhelming number of drugs I can't be absolutely sure that no drug causes it. If I knew which drugs you use, I could tell you whether they cause any side effect or not. Night sweats may be caused by various disorders including hematologic malignancies, infections (HIV, endocarditis, lung infections, etc), hyperthyroidism, diabetes, various autoimmune disorders, sleep apnea, serious heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, etc. Before attributing any symptom to side effects, all other potential causes should be ruled out particularly if the presumed side effect is not common. I hope you find my comments helpful! If you'd like to inform me about your current regimen, I'll be glad to give you a more specific answer. Kind Regards!