In this blog, we are going to talk about zoloft induced tiredness. Many people have complained that zoloft makes them feel tired during the day. It causes irritability. This is why we are also going to learn 5+ tips to increase your energy levels during the day.

Can zoloft make you tired?

Yes, zoloft can cause tiredness, sleepiness or fatigue. Tiredness is, in fact, one of the most commonly experienced side effects of zoloft.

Zoloft works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft (space between a neuron and its target cell). It increases the availability of serotonin in your brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical) released by our brain which is responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes.

Now, a drug, once inside your body, does not only act on a single kind of receptors. It acts on other mediators as well, which is the root cause of producing unwanted side effects.

Antidepressants often stimulate other receptors and mediators, including histamine and acetylcholine, which sometimes lead to unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, blurry vision, weight gain, and tiredness.

What to avoid when zoloft makes you tired

Avoid the following activities when you’re tired during the day time:

Do not drive

Avoid driving when your antidepressant makes you tired or dizzy. If you really need to be somewhere, let someone else do the driving or just call an uber.

Driving, when you’re struggling to keep your eyes open, is wrong on so many levels. It’s not just dreadful for you, but for other people out there as well. Be careful!

No not operate heavy machinery

If you’re an employee in some factory where you are supposed to operate heavy machinery, don’t! Your tiredness might cause an accident so be aware.

Avoid the use of alcohol and other sedatives

Make sure you’re not taking any other medication that might be contributing to your tiredness. Do not drink alcohol, or you’ll end up clouding your mind even more.

Tips to increase your energy levels during the day

There are a few things that might help you fight against fatigue during the day time (work time). It’s best for you to follow following tips:

Can zoloft make you tired? (5+ energy tips)

Sleep well

When you start taking your med at night/bedtime, make sure that it’s the last thing you do. Do not engage in any other activity after that. Just lie down and drift off to sleep.

Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suggests following tips to make your sleep quality better than it is now. These include:

Try to go to bed at the same time every day, working days as well as weekends.
Make sure your bedroom is always quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature to help you relax and make your sleep quality better.
Do not use electronic devices or gadgets before going to bed. They reduce your sleep quality. Make sure you remove such devices from your room or switch them off.
Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime. They will only ruin your sleep quality.
Stay active. Exercise can help relax your muscles and make your sleep quality better.

Increase your protein intake

Proteins are the building blocks of your body. It’s necessary to incorporate them in your diet. You can make scrambled eggs (maybe add a little cheese, because why not?), for breakfast. Other sources of protein include:

Lentils
Quinoa
Nut
Fish
Chickpeas
Green peas
Cottage cheese
Tofu
Almond
Poultry
Beef
Soy protein
Chia seeds
Milk
Legumes
Beans
Peanuts

Stay active

Staying active is the best way to fight against tiredness. Make sure you workout at least 3 to 4 times a week. Exercise releases happy chemicals in your brain. It not only makes you feel good, but also spikes your energy levels.

Morning workout is considered most efficient in increasing your energy levels. Go for a walk or do 10 minutes of high intensity interval training (HITT). It not only helps you to overcome tiredness caused by zoloft, but it also makes your body healthy, like actually healthy.

Some of the best exercises to increase energy levels include:

Yoga
Pilates
Tai Chi
Resistance strength training

Limit alcohol and caffeine

Caffeine can affect your sleep by keeping you awake for a longer period of time and can compromise your alertness the next day. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) recommends no more than 400 milligrams (about four or five cups of coffee) per day.

In addition, caffeine’s half-life can range from 2-12 hours, so try to avoid drinking coffee or any other caffeinated beverage within six hours of bedtime.

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Water clears out toxins from your body. Try making a detox water by adding your favourite fruits in it. You can add lemon, cucumber, kiwi, oranges, berries, ginger etc, to make drinking water less boring.

This will not only add taste, but also makes your water nutritious and full of antioxidants.

Give your body time to adapt

Your body needs time to get used to the medication. Most side effects begin to subside in 3 to 4 weeks. Insomnia and tiredness can be avoided by changing the time at which you take zoloft.

If nothing works or you begin to notice some unusual side effects, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can. If something REALLY disturbs you, seek medical help. Do not wait for it to go away on its own.

Absorb and radiate positive energy

Try to keep your mind on the positive side. Studies suggest happiness and positivity increase energy levels naturally. When your brain absorbs positivity, it releases energy.

So, always surround yourself with people who deal with you positively, people who are supportive and fill you up with optimism and people who make you look at the brighter side.

Make time for fun activities

Always have time for fun activities. Engage in activities which make you feel alive. For some people, it’s simply spending quality time with their friends and family.

You can watch a funny movie, change your hairstyle, change your routine, have a weekend away, go hiking, etc. Do not pack yourself up with work and daily life activities. Always have some time to take everything off of your shoulders. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Best time to take zoloft

If you constantly suffer from zoloft induced tiredness, it is best to take it at night. This way, you can simply just fall asleep after taking your med as you won’t have anything else to do at the end of the day. For people suffering from zoloft induced insomnia, it is recommended to shift your zoloft from night to morning.

When to call your doctor

Call your healthcare provider if:

You feel too tired to even stand up on your feet
You feel dizzy and can’t find your balance
You feel confused or anxious
You feel ringing in your ears and extreme fatigue
You feel so tired but you can not fall asleep
You suffer from insomnia at night and tiredness during the day time.
You experience unexplained weight gain or loss.

Conclusion

Zoloft is an antidepressant which is associated with a number of side effects. One of these side effects include tiredness. The use of zoloft, especially in the morning, makes you feel tired and drowsy throughout the day.

It’s best to take the med at night, if it makes you feel weary. Always consult your healthcare provider, before making any decision regarding the use or dose of your medicine.

FAQs: Zoloft makes me tired

Does Zoloft fatigue go away?

Your side effects should go away once your body gets used to the medicine. It usually takes 3 to 4 weeks for zoloft induced side effects to subside.

How long does tiredness last with sertraline?

You might feel tiredness, drowsiness and fatigue during the first few days of using zoloft. Your side effects should begin to subside when your body begins to get used to the med.

What is the best time to take Zoloft morning or night?

Taking zoloft in the morning is more likely to cause tiredness during the day time. Discuss this with your healthcare provider and switch zoloft from morning to night.

Taking it at bedtime is way better for you, as the tiredness will induce sleep and wake up fresh in the morning. Choosing the most appropriate time to take your med is a smart way of counteracting the side effects.

If it causes insomnia, morning is preferred.
If it causes drowsiness or tiredness, night time is preferred.
If it causes nausea, night time is preferred.
If it causes urinary problems, morning is preferred.
If it causes loss of libido, morning is preferred.

Why should you not take sertraline at night?

Medicines affect people differently. If zoloft causes insomnia, urinary problems or loss of libido, it’s preferred to avoid taking it at night.

Why do SSRIs make you tired?

Zoloft works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft (space between a neuron and its target cell). It increases the availability of serotonin in your brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical) released by our brain which is responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes.

Now, a drug, once inside your body, does not only act on a single kind of receptors. It acts on other mediators as well, which is the root cause of producing unwanted side effects.

How do you know Zoloft is working?

The simple answer: when your drug is doing what it is intended for, you know its working. As zoloft is an antidepressant, so if it is reducing your symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder etc, you know its working.

References

Puetz T.W. · Flowers S.S. · O’Connor P.J. – A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training on Feelings of Energy and Fatigue in Sedentary Young Adults with Persistent Fatigue

https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/116610

Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
Effects of caffeine on sleep quality and daytime functioning https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-caffeine-on-sleep-quality-and-daytime-functioning-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RMHP
Physical activity https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
Colette Bouchez – Exercise for Energy: Workouts That Work https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/exercise-for-energy-workouts-that-work#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20walking%2C%20experts,done%20with%20slow%2C%20deliberate%20motions.
Sleep and Sleep Disorders – Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html

Can zoloft make you tired? (5+ energy tips)