Should I Take Zoloft In The Morning or at Night?

By - Munira Binte Hasan

While it may seem unnecessary to emphasize when to take an antidepressant medicine, it holds quite a bit of importance when deciding when it’s best to take Zoloft.

The effectiveness of the drug depends on both scientific evidence and personal preference. So, you may ask – should I take Zoloft in the morning or at night?

You can take Zoloft in the morning and at night according to your desired outcomes and doctor’s prescription. Some people prefer Zoloft first thing in the morning as it keeps them awake. Others prefer to take it at night before bed as it gives them a restful sleep.

Are you in the first few days on Zoloft? There is a lot to know about it. Let us get to know about them.

Should I Take Zoloft In The Morning or at Night?

You may be curious as to when in the day you should take your anxiety medication, such as Zoloft or sertraline. The short answer is that it doesn’t matter.

When deciding when during the day to take sertraline for anxiety, one must consider the drug’s side effects.

Some doctors may advise taking it in the morning if you have trouble sleeping at night.

It’s also helpful to know that you can take sertraline regardless of whether or not you eat it before taking it.

To what end? Keep a regular schedule with your dosages. Take this medication simultaneously every day. Do not take a double dose the following day if you miss a dose.

Try to incorporate dosing into your regular schedule, so you don’t forget. If you always eat breakfast at the same time, that might be the best time to take it.

Can I take Zoloft Both Morning and at Night?

The answer to this question is yes- only if your doctor has prescribed you.

Depending on your condition, the doctor will prescribe how many times a day or how long you should continue with the medicine.

But what if you are prescribed once a day? Taking this antidepressant at any particular time of the day does not make it more effective.

To determine which time of the day benefits you more while taking medicine, you can experiment with it for a few days. For a week or so, take the medicine at night, and the following week take it in the morning.

As a result, you will find your suitable time to consume the antidepressant.

How Long Does It Take For Zoloft to Work for Anxiety

It typically takes around four to six weeks for Zoloft to start working. For some people, it may work sooner, and for others, it may take longer.

If you are not sure whether or not your medication is working, consult with your doctor or therapist. They will be able to help you determine if it’s time to change dosages for medications, as well as advise on other helpful coping strategies.

Benefits of Taking Zoloft in the Morning

Want to spend the day without depression or anxiety peaking at you? Then, take Zoloft in the morning.

Immediate Energy

If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, taking your Zoloft first thing may help make mornings a little easier. You may have more energy and motivation to start your day.

For some people, taking Zoloft first thing in the morning provides an immediate energy boost that can help them get going for the day.

On the other hand, many find that it takes a few hours before they start to feel better, and they stay in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Improved Motivation

If your depression hinders your daily work and personal life, taking Zoloft in the morning can help suppress depression and anxiety for the day.

So, you can enjoy and ace your work life, plus feel more alert and productive during the day.

Helps Insomniacs

One early side-effect of antidepressants like Zoloft is insomnia or difficulty with sleep. If you can’t sleep properly at night due to the medication’s side effects, you should take it in the morning.

However, the side effects usually go away after a few days on the medicine.

Moreover, taking Zoloft in the morning is a better decision if you have chronic insomnia.

Benefits of Taking Zoloft at Night

Take Zoloft at night for a restful night’s sleep and cheerful mornings.

More Happier Mornings

The benefits of taking Zoloft at night can be explained by the fact that the body metabolizes serotonin more quickly when you sleep, which results in more of it being present in your system when you wake up.

This can make you feel happier, more optimistic, and less sad or anxious than you would if you took Zoloft first thing in the morning.

You may also find that it gives you more energy during the day since Zoloft may be working on regulating your serotonin levels while you are sleeping.

Prevents Night Depression

If you ask a depression victim, they would say most of their ugly thoughts hit them in the darkness of night. It is not unusual.

So, taking Zoloft before bed can help you fight the forthcoming anxiety and depression that you may get at night. Hence, you can sleep better.

Prevents Side Effects

Some patients find that taking Zoloft in the morning produces more side effects, such as drowsiness or nausea, than taking it at night.

So, taking Zoloft at night can help prevent the side effects while resting your body.

A Brief Biography of Zoloft

Have you been prescribed Zoloft by your doctor? Many people ask if they should take Zoloft in the morning or at night. But to figure out when to take Zoloft, first understand how this particular drug works.

This medication, sold under the brand name Zoloft, is an antidepressant belonging to the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs, which work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.

Zoloft or sertraline is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications today, and many people take it to help treat their depression.

Since depression can be so debilitating, it’s no wonder it affects many individuals.

Luckily, with medications like Zoloft available to treat this disorder, individuals can start feeling themselves again.

Side Effects of Zoloft

Zoloft is a well-adopted antidepressant drug with no severe or lasting side effects. However, there can still be mild to moderate side effects such as

You don’t have anything to worry about because these side effects are temporary and will disappear after a few days. Also, you won’t get all the side effects together, one or two at a time.

Medicines to Avoid With Zoloft

Since Zoloft is sertraline and increases serotonin production in the brain, you must avoid taking other serotonin-boosting drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, blood thinners, naproxen, etc.

It will overpower your serotonin production and cause serotonin syndrome.

So, if you are on any of these drugs, you should make it clear to your doctor so that he can look into the pros and cons.

FAQs

Is depression common?

Depression and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NMH). More than 16 million American adults suffer from depression at any given time, and half of all people with depression experience multiple episodes during their lifetime.

Are anxiety and depression curable?

If you feel helpless due to frequent severe anxiety attacks or depression, talk to your doctor about taking antidepressants. While such medication can help you get your life back on track, how you take it can affect how it works and how soon you start to feel better.

Should I take Zoloft every day? 

Zoloft or sertraline is used to treat depression and anxiety disorder.  According to the prescribing information, Zoloft can be taken daily or only as needed. Usually, the length of time to continue the medicine and quantity taken per day will be instructed by your doctor according to the severity of your condition.

Final Thought- Zoloft in Morning or at Night?

In conclusion, taking Zoloft at either time of the day has its pros and cons. Ultimately, it is a decision that you will have to make with your doctor.

If you decide to take it in the morning, try to take it as early as possible so you can start your day immediately.

On the other hand, if you decide to take it at night, it could help you sleep better.

Remember, everyone’s brain chemistry is different, so what works for one person may not work for another.