Antidepressants for Sleep Problems
Topic Overview
Antidepressant medicines are often prescribed for people
who have
insomnia. Best results are seen in people who also
have depression.1 Doctors often prescribe low doses of
certain antidepressants in an attempt to facilitate sleep, even though the
medicines have not been well studied for insomnia.
Examples of
the antidepressants that might be prescribed for insomnia are amitriptyline and
trazodone.
The side effects of these medicines, which may include
sexual dysfunction, weight gain, dry mouth and throat, racing pulse, confusion,
and disturbed dreams, must be weighed against their potential benefits.
FDA advisories. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has issued:
- A warning on the antidepressants Paxil and Paxil
CR (paroxetine) and birth defects. One new study showed that women who took
Paxil during their first 12 weeks of pregnancy had a slightly higher chance of
having a baby with birth defects.
- An
advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of
suicide. Talk to your doctor about these possible side effects and the
warning signs of suicide.
References
Citations
-
Mahowald MW (2012). Disorders of sleep. In L Goldman, A Shafer, eds., Goldman's Cecil Medicine, 24th ed., pp. 2299–2304. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Current as ofNovember 18, 2013
Current as of:
November 18, 2013
Mahowald MW (2012). Disorders of sleep. In L Goldman, A Shafer, eds., Goldman's Cecil Medicine, 24th ed., pp. 2299–2304. Philadelphia: Saunders.
