Does sertraline cause drowsiness
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Sertraline and Drowsiness: Side Effect Profile
Frequency of Drowsiness as a Side Effect
Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), can cause drowsiness in some individuals. Clinical studies and case reports indicate that drowsiness is a recognized but generally not severe side effect of sertraline use. In a study comparing SSRIs for premature ejaculation, drowsiness was one of the most common side effects reported with sertraline, though it was not severe enough to lead to discontinuation of the medication . Similarly, in an open-label study of adolescents with major depression, drowsiness and insomnia were both relatively common but usually manageable adverse effects during sertraline treatment .
Comparison with Other Antidepressants
Compared to other antidepressants, sertraline tends to have a lower risk of causing drowsiness. For example, in a double-blind study comparing sertraline and amitriptyline, both drugs caused subjective drowsiness, but the effect was greater and lasted longer with amitriptyline. Sertraline was associated with less impairment of psychomotor performance and even showed a slight activating effect in some tests . Other research in healthy volunteers found that sertraline had an alerting effect in objective tests, and subjective reports of drowsiness were not consistent with these findings .
Activating vs. Sedating Effects
Sertraline is generally considered to have more activating properties, often leading to side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness rather than sedation. However, a small number of individuals may experience sedation or drowsiness, and this effect has been used therapeutically in some cases to help treat insomnia in patients with comorbid psychiatric conditions . The underlying mechanism for this sedating effect in certain individuals is not well understood.
Other Reported Side Effects
While drowsiness can occur, other side effects such as nausea and insomnia are more frequently reported with sertraline use 127. In clinical trials, delayed ejaculation was the most common adverse event, with drowsiness being less prominent . Some studies also mention somnolence, nervousness, and dizziness as possible side effects 57.
Impact on Cognitive and Psychomotor Performance
Multiple studies have shown that sertraline does not significantly impair cognitive or psychomotor performance at typical therapeutic doses. In fact, some research suggests a slight alerting effect, and no consistent evidence of drowsiness was found in objective testing 468.
Conclusion
Drowsiness is a possible but generally uncommon and mild side effect of sertraline. Most patients experience other side effects such as insomnia or nausea more frequently. Compared to other antidepressants, sertraline is less likely to cause significant drowsiness or sedation, and in some cases, it may even have an alerting effect. However, individual responses can vary, and a small number of people may experience drowsiness while taking sertraline 1234710.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic