HomeAnswersPsychiatryfluoxetineIs sleep disturbance a side effect of Fluoxetine?

Can Fluoxetine cause disturbed sleep?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At February 26, 2016
Reviewed AtJuly 27, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am very sad, and I am surrounded by negative thoughts and anxiety. I have taken Fluoxetine (Fludac 20) for 6 weeks. Now I am fine, but I wake up early in the morning around 3.30 AM. Hence having disturbed sleep in the morning. My doctor changed medicine to Flunil 40. I think this dose is not required. Kindly advice me to avoid sexual side effects from this medicine. Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Fluoxetine is known to cause significant insomnia in many patients as it is an activating drug. Being an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Fluoxetine causes sexual dysfunction. Both these side effects can be treated by taking tablet Trazodone (brand name Trazaril) 25 mg at night time. It antagonizes the side effects of Fluoxetine. After two weeks, if needed, the dose can be increased to 50 mg.

The Probable causes

The probable cause is Fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction or insomnia.

Probable diagnosis

The probable diagnosis is SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.

Treatment plan

The treatment plan is Tablet Trazodone 25 mg at night time.

Patient's Query

Thank u doctor,

My question is, do I require Fluoxetine 40 mg? Or is 20 mg fine? Kindly suggest. Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You have not mentioned, for what condition you are taking Fluoxetine, and how are the symptoms currently. If your problems are sleep disturbance and sexual dysfunction, then you can continue with Fluoxetine 20 mg. However, if you still have some symptoms of the previous disorder for which you were taking Fluoxetine (depression, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc.,) and they are there even after taking 20 mg, then you might need 40 mg. In both cases, I would advise you to take Trazodone along with Fluoxetine.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Saraswat Kumarshri Shriniwas
Dr. Saraswat Kumarshri Shriniwas

Psychiatry

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