Hi, favour to ask: detailed answers requested! :-). Anyone whose had experience with Prozac and the side effect of insomnia? Would like to know:
a/ Was insomnia an initial side effect that went away with time?
b/ how long did it take for the insomnia to subside?
c/ was the sleeplessness something that didn't go away and caused a change in meds from Prozac to__________?
d/ What one did and/or took medication-wise to help counteract the insomnia.
e/ also your take on whether you think Prozac was a helpful medication or not?
Any provided info would be great!!! I wake up between 6 to 12 times a night! :-( Annie.B.Tired but is noticing some alleviation of the depression with the Prozac -- little incremental 'windows' of improvement -- slow and small but I'll take whatever small improvement that comes along! I do have meds here that I could take (short term i.e. not every night) for sleep, but had a reaction/sensitivity to one some time ago and am a little medication leery/apprehensive...
Prozac and Insomnia?
Question posted by AnnieBHappy on 3 Feb 2013
Last updated on 20 April 2021
9 Answers
When I went to a sleep specialist (which I would recommend to anyone with sleep problems), the doc told me that the only proven way to stimulate your brain to release melatonin at night is to take a "micro-dose" of melatonin in the evening to signal your brain to start making its own. The doses they recommend are 0.2 to 0.3 mg. Other sleeping pills just induce unconsciousness, which doesn't give your brain or body the benefits of true sleep. The book Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker goes in-depth on sleep research and recommends the same thing. It may be the best book I've ever read for improving my health.
The push to get us to take higher and higher doses of melatonin is because the big manufacturers of the pills don't have a license to produce the lower dose, which the researchers patented. The big doses are counter productive because it tells our brains not to bother producing its own. Only a few companies pay the licensing fee. I use LifeExtension brand and it works really well (not an endorsement for anyone else since we're all different).
I am so happy I found this comment. I’m currently dealing with insomnia(difficultly staying asleep).
What specific time in the evening should you take the micro-dose?
They told me to start by taking the dose at 6pm. I was getting so tired in the evening that they suggested moving it back to 7pm, which has worked very well for me. I think the most important thing is that you actually go to bed when it is hitting you. I've found that if I'm being bad about maintaining a healthy schedule and "push through" the drowsiness, I'm worse off when I do go to bed. For me, it takes about 3 hours to have the desired effect, but I imagine it is at least a little different for everyone.
I agree and thank you. I am also drinking fruit fast tart cherry juice. Contains natural melatonin. My insomnia isn’t bad, I do get full 7 hours of sleep but I tend to wake up 2-3 times during the 7 hours and feel un- refreshed in the morning. I will try adding the micro-dose.
Feel need to add my case here.
On Prozac for 2 weeks now. Last week barely slept few hours and never suffered from insomnia related to mood / depression. So I think I am done with it.
Reading here that melatonin increased in the day - which is funny because I tend to catch the sleep after 7/8am...
I am taking it for 3 months and the sideeffects didnt fade at all. The insomnia is a torture, makes me even more depressed cause I can t do anything during the day.
What can be mixed with prozac to help with this? Beside benzos,I m off them.
Have you talked to your doctor about this? I'm very glad to hear that you're off benzodiazepines but there are other medications that could be prescribed... even some OTC's.
Also, if you're still having side effects three months in you might want to discuss your dosage or changing to a different antidepressant.
Best regards and I hope you get some Zzzz's very soon... you can't go on like this.
I did talk to my doctor but my anxiety is gone so we have to continue with this one. I also get akathisia,bruising, eccesive yawning and gained 12 kilos in 3 months. .I m not even mentioning the usual side effects:) He gave me klonopin but I want to stay away from them.Was a pain getting of them.
It s 5 am here and i m online, I have to take my pill at 10 am...
I'll be blunt... would you consider getting a second opinion? And are seeing a GP or a psychiatrist?
I can't argue with your doctor who knows you and your history but if your side effects are this severe and have lasted this long I'm surprised that the only option she/he can offer is going back on a benzo!
I had severe insomnia with prozac after trying for 2 weeks. Before the medicine kicked in, I was able to sleep better, second week totally wide awake like a zombie, took diazepam and zopiclone, nothing worked so I have to put a stop to this med! My mood changed and anxiety is gradually fading away, but can't take the side effect of severe insomnia.
I can only answer the insomnia issue. Took Prozac for 3 weeks it caused severe insomnia that did not go away with continued treatment. I finally had to stop taking it, I was walking around a zombie.
Packard0723
Hi Annie, have just jumped on here after being off for a while. I saw your question and wondered how you were going ? im in the same boat at the moment, on 60mg of prozac and no sleep or appetite. Struggle to get more than 2hours sleep per night for the last 3months, think i have given prozac long enough towork and seeing my doc next week and going to ask to go back onto mirtazapine ( previous med ) and seemed to work better than this. Am constantly tired and drained and no motivation. Hoping you have had better luck ? cheers
Maybe you should decrease the dose from 60mg, which is a very high dosage of Prozac.
I used Prozac. No problems.
Have you had a sleep study done? Sometimes there is a cause for frequent waking. OCD makes hyper vigilance and that may be your trigger with a new medication. I suggest you give it time. It is very helpful for many people.
Hi endlessPred; yes, had sleep study done years ago and apparently I don't reach the deeper phases of sleep; I stay flitting back and forth between the lighter cycles (wish I could remember the technical description, but that's the best I can describe the results as it's been a long time and my recall isn't so great lately :-( ) Ya, am going to stick with it and hope this works. Thanks for your input, AnnieB.H. How are you these days?
Thanks, am doing ok. Get another sleep study, they have gotten a lot better over the years. Perhaps they have a better approach for you since we change over time. I sleep better with oxygen, for example. Without it I wake frequently. Ya never know. Of course, I use oxygen a lot, but the sleep study helped verify what I "knew". Doctor confirmed. That helped my thought process. Keep at it. I know you will be fine. Karen
Thanks for the encouraging and reassuring words Karen! Needed that! AnnieB.H.
Always here for you Annie. :-). Karen
Heck Karen, thanks so much for the care you're showing. Some people just have the knack to know when it's needed most. Seriously, thanks so much, will keep trying to focus on the fact that one day I'll feel much better than I do now; you too, Karen, you keep on keepin' on, ya hear! AnnieB.H.
Your wish is my command.
Hi, i was lucky not to experience insomnia with Prozac. I understand that it can be a common initial side effect that can often wear off. In the past i have found relief from insomnia by taking Melatonin or Nightnurse short term. I'm glad you seem to be benefiting from the Prozac, i hope it continues to be helpful : )
Hi Delila, thanks for your reply... recently read that Prozac depletes melatonin, so maybe that's something to try (the melatonin) What dosage of melatonin works for you? AnnieB.H.
Oh, hey, just to extrapolate on the topic of melatonin & S.S.R.I's in case anyone is interested or has any more clarifying or opposing info (to seek clarity)... I read that S.S.R.I's in general reduce melatonin production. In the article I was reading re: Prozac and melatonin, it actually used the word 'depletes' (melatonin)..also read (not sure if it was the same article) that Prozac causes a reduction in nighttime melatonin production and induces the release of melatonin during the day. I may just post this as a general question to the Drugs.com community soon to see what input I can receive from others/if they've read similar findings or something to oppose what I've read... A.B.H.
Hi, that's really interesting! Thank you : )
Hi, sorry i forgot to answer your question! I was using 5mg per night. I think 6mg per night is the maximum recommended, but most people start at 3mg & increase if they need to. For the Melatonin to work to it's best, you must ensure your bedroom is totally blacked out, and/or wear a sleep mask : )
Dear Annie,
Prozac was 1 of the first drugs I tried for depression. I had some insomnia at first but it gradually lessened. Prozac started working for me within the first 3-4 weeks. However, it was found that I had secondary insomnia to the depression. Although insomnia is a side effect of Prozac, I still felt it was worth it to take the drug. Give it a lil more time and see how things go. Then you and your doctor will be able to make a more informed decision. I wish you luck during this time.
Seeking peace,
Tee
Tee, do you recall how long it took after starting the Prozac for the insomnia to dissipate and your sleep to get back to normal? Thanks for your response A.B.H.
Related topics
prozac, depression, insomnia, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, fibromyalgia, side effect, anxiety and stress
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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