Depression and insomnia are often linked. Indeed, insomnia is a common symptom of depression, often the first to appear.
Lots of older antidepressants have the side effect of drowsiness. While it can be a problem for people taking the drugs for depression, it can be an asset for people with insomnia, even those who are not depressed.
Those who are depressed may find that these antidepressants improve their mood as well as their sleep.
Antidepressants aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of insomnia, but doctors may prescribe these drugs for insomnia anyway.
The antidepressant trazodone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for insomnia. The dose recommended for insomnia is lower than that prescribed for depression. Due to side effects at higher doses, trazodone is now rarely prescribed for depression alone.
People taking trazodone should consider:
• The sedating effect may last into the next day. It may be more noticeable among the elderly. Due to grogginess accidents and falls may injure the elderly.
• Possible side effects include confusion, fainting, muscle tremors, heart arrhythmias, and a dry mouth.
• Caution must be used when operating motor vehicles or doing other tasks that require alertness.
• Trazodone is secreted in breast milk. Consult with your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.
The tricyclic antidepressants, including doxepin and amitriptyline, are sometimes prescribed for insomnia.
Some antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Zoloft and Prozac, may have insomnia as a side effect, so they aren't prescribed to treat insomnia.
Nevertheless, if insomnia is caused by depression, treating the depression with SSRIs may improve the patient's sleep.
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