Feeling tired or drowsy is a common side effect of sertraline, and it can affect some people more than others. There are several reasons why you might feel tired while taking sertraline:
- Serotonin levels: Sertraline works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Higher levels of serotonin can cause drowsiness and fatigue.
- Dosage: Taking a higher dose of sertraline can cause more drowsiness than a lower dose.
- Timing of medication: Taking sertraline at night may increase the likelihood of feeling tired during the day.
- Other medications: Taking other medications that cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines or benzodiazepines, can increase the drowsiness caused by sertraline.
- Underlying medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea or anemia, can cause fatigue and may be exacerbated by sertraline.
If you are experiencing excessive tiredness while taking sertraline, it is important to talk to your doctor. Your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage or recommend other strategies to help manage your fatigue. Additionally, it is important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you are feeling excessively drowsy, as sertraline can impair your ability to perform these tasks safely.
There are various forms of drugs available, such as tablets or liquids, and each may have a separate patient information leaflet (PIL) for different doses. It is important to refer to the PIL for the specific form and dose of the drug that you have been prescribed.
You can search for further information and PILs on websites such as:
- The British National Formulary (BNF)
- Electronic medicines compendium (emc)
- The National Library of Medicine's DailyMed
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Different drug forms like tablets or liquids have specific patient information leaflets (PIL) for various doses. Refer to the PIL for your prescribed drug form and dose.
Search for PILs on websites like:
France
- ANSM (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé): ansm.sante.fr
Spain
- AEMPS (Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios): aemps.gob.es
Germany
- BfArM (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte): bfarm.de
Italy
For questions about your medication:
- Consult your doctor, a healthcare professional, or a pharmacist
France
- Contact SOS Médecins: 3624
- For mental health support, contact SOS Suicide: 01 45 39 40 00
Belgium (French)
Switzerland (French)
- La Main Tendue: 143
- Website: 143.ch
Canada (French)
- Centre de prévention du suicide du Québec: 1 866 APPELLE (1 866 277-3553)
- Website: cpsquebec.ca
Spain
- Contact emergency number: 112
- For mental health support, contact Teléfono de la Esperanza: 717 003 717
Germany
- Contact emergency number: 112
- For mental health support, contact Telefonseelsorge: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222
Italy
- Contact emergency number: 112
- For mental health support, contact Telefono Amico: 199 284 284
Netherlands
- Contact emergency number: 112
- For mental health support, contact 113 Zelfmoordpreventie: 0800 0113
Portugal
- Contact emergency number: 112
- For mental health support, contact Sos Voz Amiga: 21 354 45 45, 91 280 26 69, or 96 352 46 60