Zoloft and Insomnia

Zoloft and insomnia have a weak linkage through the mechanism of action of Zoloft on specific neurotransmitters within the brain. Zoloft is from the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs. These drugs are used in the treatment of depression and Zoloft has long been the cornerstone of this therapy. However, treatment for depression or a detailed pharmacological history may link Zoloft and insomnia in these patients.

Zoloft and Insomnia

If a person experiences difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep long enough to be rested, they may be experiencing insomnia. These people experience little or no stage 4 or REM sleep and rarely feel rested.

Insomnia can be a side effect of SSRI drug therapy targeting serotonin pathways in clinically depressed patients. Among other functions, Serotonin is also implicated in the neural pathways maintaining wakefulness. It is secreted by neurons in an area of the brainstem known as the Raphe nucleus and acts on a variety of excitatory and inhibitory receptors including the area of the brain controlling wakefulness. In laboratory experiments, serotonin was demonstrated to influence this area. For this reason, Zoloft and insomnia become linked through this drug prolonging serotonin’s action within the brain.

Through this association, Zoloft and insomnia can be related even though the specific link is still unknown. In drug trials using a placebo control group (i.e. a sugar pill having no effect on test subject is given to a different group of patients), 21% of subjects taking Zoloft complained of insomnia. However, 11% of subjects in the placebo control group have the same complaint.

Different types of treatments are available for depression. One treatment is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). The SSRI class of drug reinforces the suspected link between insomnia and serotonin because SSRIs extend the length of action of serotonin once it’s been released into the brain. Currently, studies indicate that the prolonged action of serotonin can cause sleeplessness.

It is important to remember that Zoloft should only be taken with the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner for treatment of depression. Even though Zoloft and insomnia have been linked in drug safety testing, the control groups using placebos also demonstrated similar rates. So, remember that Zoloft is an effective treatment of depression with demonstrated benefit to patients.