Jason asked
What is the best time of day to take Zoloft (sertraline)?
Answer
Zoloft (sertraline) may be taken safely in the morning or evening with no difference in effectiveness. The prescribing information for Zoloft states the following:
"Zoloft should be administered once daily, either in the morning or evening."Although Zoloft can be dosed in the morning or evening, morning is the most commonly recommended time due to the side effect profile of Zoloft.
Zoloft Administration Time
The most common side effects to Zoloft (sertraline) can make it difficult to fall asleep. In fact, one of the most commonly reported side effects with Zoloft is insomnia, with nearly 20% individuals experiencing this. Some of the other common side effects include:
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
All of the above side effect can make it difficult to sleep. Dry mouth specifically tends to occur more often in the evening as our salivary glands are less active at nighttime.
Morning dosing can sometimes alleviate the side effects that make it difficult to fall sleep. and insomnia is less of an issue with morning.
However, a small percentage of people do experience fatigue and drowsiness on Zoloft (sertraline). If this occurs, it is recommended to take the medication in the evening, about 1 to 2 hours before bedtime.
As mentioned above, there will be no difference in effectiveness, regardless of what time of day you take your dose of Zoloft. It is important to remain consistent in your dosing, be it morning or evening.
