Neurological
Medicines for Night terrors
Episodes of screaming, fear and thrashing during deep sleep, mainly in young children — frightening to watch but usually harmless, and outgrown with time.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Night terrors?
Night terrors are episodes in which a person, usually a young child, suddenly appears terrified during sleep — screaming, thrashing, sweating, with a racing heart and a look of intense fear — while actually still asleep. They happen during deep (non-dream) sleep, typically in the first few hours of the night, and are different from nightmares.
- How it is treated: Night terrors usually need no specific treatment and improve as the child gets older.
- Self-care: Ensuring the child gets enough regular sleep, keeping a calm bedtime routine, reducing overtiredness and stress, and keeping the environment safe during episodes all help.
- When to seek help: See a GP if night terrors are very frequent, lead to injury, continue into older childhood or begin in adulthood, or if you are worried, for reassurance and advice.
What it is
Night terrors are episodes in which a person, usually a young child, suddenly appears terrified during sleep — screaming, thrashing, sweating, with a racing heart and a look of intense fear — while actually still asleep. They happen during deep (non-dream) sleep, typically in the first few hours of the night, and are different from nightmares. During an episode the child is not truly awake, does not respond normally, and cannot be comforted in the usual way, and — importantly — usually has no memory of it in the morning. They are most common in young children and are usually outgrown. Triggers include being overtired, unwell or feverish, stressed, or having an irregular sleep routine. Although alarming for parents to witness, they are usually harmless.
How it is treated
Night terrors usually need no specific treatment and improve as the child gets older. Reassurance for parents is a key part of care, along with practical advice. During an episode, it is best not to try to wake the child but to stay nearby, keep them safe, and let it pass, which is usually within a few minutes; the child then settles back to sleep. Reducing triggers helps — ensuring enough regular sleep, a calm bedtime routine, and managing stress and overtiredness. If episodes reliably happen at a similar time each night, gently rousing the child briefly before that time ("anticipatory waking") can help break the pattern. Frequent, injurious, or unusual episodes, or ones continuing into older childhood or adulthood, are worth discussing with a doctor.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Night terrors
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Ensuring the child gets enough regular sleep, keeping a calm bedtime routine, reducing overtiredness and stress, and keeping the environment safe during episodes all help. Staying nearby without waking the child during an episode is usually best.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP if night terrors are very frequent, lead to injury, continue into older childhood or begin in adulthood, or if you are worried, for reassurance and advice.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Night terrors: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between night terrors and nightmares?
Night terrors happen during deep sleep (usually early in the night), with the child appearing terrified but still asleep and with no memory afterwards. Nightmares are bad dreams during dream sleep, from which the child wakes and often remembers them.
Should I wake my child during a night terror?
It is usually best not to try to wake them, but to stay nearby, keep them safe, and let the episode pass — it typically lasts only a few minutes, after which they settle back to sleep.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Night terrors and nightmares
- Sleep charity guidance
Related conditions
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