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.
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,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)
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.
