Does Prozac induced insomnia go away?

In this blog post, we are going to talk about prozac induced insomnia and how long it usually takes to go away. Prozac is an antidepressant which is associated with a number of side effects, one of which include insomnia or inability to fall asleep. 

This blog will cover all there is to know about this side effect. We will also cover some tips that can help you fall asleep and make your sleep quality better. 

Does prozac induced insomnia go away? 

Prozac induced insomnia begins to go away within 2 to 3 weeks of your treatment. Side effects associated with prozac usually stay as long as your body tries to adapt to the presence of this antidepressant. Once your body is fully adjusted, you begin to notice your side effects fading away. 

Prozac belongs to the family of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, abbreviated as SSRIs. Now let’s get into the science of this class of drugs. 

These drugs actually inhibit the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft (space between a neuron and its target cell). So, 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, this increased amount of serotonin might mess up your sleep pattern during the first few weeks of antidepressant treatment. Side effects should begin to subside when your body gets used to the presence of prozac and the excess availability of serotonin. 

Infact, after a few weeks, your sleep pattern might start to get better than it previously was. 

What is the best time to take prozac in order to avoid insomnia? 

Medicines affect people differently. There might be a person out there who is getting little to no side effects from prozac. If you’re one of the unfortunate ones, who’s going through insomnia caused by prozac, you need to pick a better time to take your med. 

Taking prozac at bedtime is more likely to cause insomnia. It is preferred to start taking prozac in the morning, instead of taking it at night time. Always talk to your healthcare provider to guide you through it.

Choosing the most appropriate time to take your med is a smart way of avoiding the unwanted effects. You can set the best time for prozac, in accordance with your side effects.

The best way to switch is to miss your night dose and take it the following morning. Again, you need to talk to your healthcare professional before making any changes by yourself. Even if you want to switch, do not proceed without your doctor’s approval.

What could be done to help relieve the symptoms of prozac induced insomnia? 

There are a few things you can try to make your sleep pattern better and avoid prozac induced insomnia. These include:

Create a peaceful sleeping environment

Always make sure your bedroom is peaceful when it’s time to sleep. Temperature, lighting and sound should be controlled as per your liking. 

Sleep on a comfortable bed

It is difficult to fall asleep on an uncomfortable bed. Make sure your bed makes you feel relaxed as you drift off to sleep.

Keep your sleeping hours constant

Make sure you keep your sleeping hours constant by going to bed and getting up at the same time, everyday. This helps you to maintain the number of hours you sleep. 

In this way, your brain is programmed in such a way that you automatically start feeling sleepy at your ‘go to bed’ hour.

Stay active 

Regular exercise releases tension from your muscles and makes you feel relaxed. Exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week. It is not recommended to do a high intensity workout before bedtime, as it will make it difficult to fall asleep. 

Lower your caffeine intake

Do not consume caffeine in the evening. The half life of caffeine is 2 to 12 hours, so make sure you do not consume it in the evening, as it might remain in your system till bedtime. Instead, have a warm cup of milk or herbal tea.

Do not overeat before bed

Do not consume high amounts of food or alcohol before bedtime. You don’t need to keep your digestive system working while you sleep. It’s already not preferred to lie down right after eating. It will not only ruin your sleep quality but it will also keep you bloated throughout the next day. 

Get up, if you can’t fall asleep

If you can’t fall asleep, get up. Do something that makes you feel relaxed until you feel sleepy again. 

Try to calm yourself before you go to bed. 

Try to relax before you get to bed. Take a warm bath, light some soft scented candles, listen to some soft music or do some yoga to relax your mind and induce sleep.

Do not smoke

People who smoke fall asleep later than the normal individuals. Nicotine is a stimulant. As long as it remains in your system, it keeps you awake.

Can you take something natural to make you fall asleep? 

There are some natural herbs and foods that can help induce sleep. These include:

Chamomile 

Chamomile is well known for its relaxing properties. Chamomile tea has been used for decades now to regulate good night’s sleep. Studies suggest that chamomile possesses natural antidepressant and antianxiety properties and can help stabilise your mood. 

Lavender

Lavender is a herb which is well known for its relaxing and calming fragrance. Studies show that lavender has antidepressant and antianxiety properties and can be used to help treat insomnia associated with disturbed mood and mental condition. 

Ashwagandha 

Ashwagandha is a plant that’s used to make medicines. This medicinal plant is native to Africa and Asia, and is most commonly used by the Indian population. 

This plant is said to be an adaptogen, which can help you respond to daily life struggle, anxiety, stress and fatigue. In some Indian practices, it is also used to treat insomnia within 3 months of its use. It is also safe to take with your antidepressant. 

Passion flower

Passion flowers can also be used to enhance the quality of your sleep. Study suggests that this herb can help reduce the time taken for a person to fall asleep and also reduces the chances of waking up in the middle of the night. 

Few studies suggest that the sedative effects of passion flower can be enhanced when it is used with other herbs like valerian root, chamomile or lavender. 

Turmeric 

Research suggests that turmeric acts as a mild tranquilliser. Its pain relieving and sedative effects have made it a big part of herbal treatment. Some studies suggest that drinking lukewarm milk with turmeric can really help you calm down and induce sleep. 

Conclusion 

In this blog, we have discussed prozac induced insomnia and how long it usually takes to go away. Most side effects begin to subside in 2 to 4 weeks, when your body starts getting used to the increased amounts of serotonin. 

The increased serotonin then enhances your mood, sleep quality, cognition, reward pathway and learning. You feel happy and go back to enjoying your favourite activities. 

Just don’t give up if you experience side effects, it gets better. Meanwhile, you can try the tips we have discussed in this blog and I’m sure you’ll see some good changes in your sleep quality. 

FAQs: does prozac insomnia go away 

How can I stop Prozac insomnia?

You can prevent prozac induced insomnia by taking it early in the morning. It is preferred to start taking prozac in the morning, instead of taking it at night time. Always talk to your healthcare provider to guide you through it.

Choosing the most appropriate time to take your med is a smart way of avoiding the unwanted effects. You can set the best time for prozac, in accordance with your side effects.

If you’re currently taking prozac at night and you wish to switch, ask your healthcare provider. The best way to switch is to miss your night dose and take it the following morning. 

Again, you need to talk to your healthcare professional before making any changes by yourself. Even if you want to switch, do not proceed without your doctor’s approval.

Does insomnia from SSRIs go away?

SSRIs induced insomnia begins to go away within 2 to 3 weeks of your treatment. Side effects associated with prozac usually stay as long as your body tries to adapt to the presence of this antidepressant. Once your body is fully adjusted, you begin to notice your side effects fading away. 

How long do Prozac side effects take to go away?

Prozac induced side effects usually begin to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. However, this time duration can vary from person to person. Some people may start to notice better sleep quality earlier than the others. 

Will taking Prozac at night help me sleep?

Prozac may help you sleep better at night if your mental health condition causes insomnia. Prozac may also cause drowsiness as a side effect which may also increase your sleeping hours. However, prozac is also associated with insomnia. It’s hard to predict how your body will react once it gets exposed to prozac. 

Can you take a sleep aid with Prozac?

There are multiple sleep aids which can be used with prozac, like  benzodiazepines or one of the three Zs (Zolpidem, zaleplon or zopiclone/eszopiclone), but only if prescribed by your doctor. 

The combination of these with prozac can help relieve your insomnia associated with either the depression or the antidepressant itself. These meds, however, should be used with extreme caution and only when your doctor prescribes it. 

What are the common side effects of prozac? 

Common side effects of prozac include:

• Restlessness 
• Anxiety 
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness 
• Skin rash
• Muscular pain
• Joint pain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Tiredness 
• Sweating 
• Loss of appetite 
• Loss of sexual desire 

References 

• Adam Wichniak, Aleksandra Wierzbicka, Małgorzata Walęcka, and Wojciech Jernajczyk (2017) – Effects of Antidepressants on Sleep https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5548844/
• Daniel Becker, M.D. – Insomnia and SSRI Medications https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/insomnia-ssri-medications
• Sleep Disorders: Sleep Problems Linked to Depression https://www.webmd.com/depression/sleep-problems-and-depression
• Insomnia https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes#:~:text=Insomnia%20is%20a%20sleep%20disorder,for%203%20months%20or%20more.
• 10 Tips to Beat Insomnia https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/insomnia-tips
• 10 tips to beat insomnia – Sleep and tiredness https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/10-tips-to-beat-insomnia/
• Truong Hong Hieu et al (2019) – Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and quasi-randomized trials https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31006899/#:~:text=Noteworthy%2C%20our%20meta%2Danalysis%20showed,for%20sleep%20quality%20and%20GAD.
• Dilek Yıldırım et al. Complement Med Res. (2020) – The Effect of Lavender Oil on Sleep Quality and Vital Signs in Palliative Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32396914/