Does zoloft make you sleepy?
What is Zoloft?
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) approved by the FDA over 30 years ago. It increases serotonin activity in the brain to help regulate mood, sleep, and anxiety.
How does Zoloft work?
Zoloft blocks the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin at nerve synapses, raising its levels and enhancing neurotransmission.
What is Zoloft used to treat?
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder (PD)
- Post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion
- Tiredness or drowsiness
Less common side effects
- Irregular heartbeat
- Loss of appetite
- Vision changes
- Tremor
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sweating
Serious side effects
- Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty)
- Worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, especially in first weeks or young adults
- Serotonin syndrome (high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion)
- Increased bleeding risk (unexpected bruising, black stools, bleeding gums)
- Angle‑closure glaucoma (sudden eye pain, vision changes)
- Abnormal heart rhythm (chest pain, fainting)
- Low blood sodium (weakness, confusion, headache)
Drug interactions
- Other serotonergic agents (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, triptans, certain opioids)
- Blood thinners and NSAIDs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel)
- QT‑prolonging drugs (amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine)
- Seizure medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin)
- Drowsiness‑causing substances (alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives)
- Disulfiram (with oral solution only)
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Who should not take Zoloft?
- Use of MAOIs within 14 days
- Concomitant pimozide (Orap)
- Allergy to sertraline or ingredients
- Oral solution and disulfiram combination
What your provider needs to know
- Liver, kidney, or heart disease
- History of seizures
- Bipolar disorder or mania
- Low sodium levels
- Prior stroke or bleeding disorders
- Pregnancy or plans to conceive
- Breastfeeding
Missed dose
Take as soon as remembered unless it’s near the next dose. Do not double up.
Storage
Keep at 68–77°F (20–25°C) in a tightly closed container, out of reach of children.
Oral solution instructions
Measure with the provided dropper, mix immediately in 4 oz of water, lemon/lime soda, ginger ale, orange juice, or lemonade, and ingest right away. Do not pre‑mix or use other liquids.
Related medications
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Paxil (paroxetine)
- Celexa (citalopram)
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Effexor XR (venlafaxine ER)
- Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
Sources
- Zoloft (sertraline) prescribing information. FDA. Accessed July 10, 2024.
- Sertraline. Medscape. Accessed July 10, 2024.
- APA Clinical Practice Guideline for Depression. Accessed July 10, 2024.
- Singh HK, Saadabadi A. Sertraline. StatPearls. Accessed July 10, 2024.
