Does Effexor-induced insomnia go away? 

Does Effexor-induced insomnia go away? 

Yes, Effexor-induced insomnia does start to go away within a few weeks of your treatment. This is one of the most common early side effects of Effexor and other antidepressants, and it gets better with time as your body adjusts to the medication. 

It typically takes 3-4 weeks, but some people may take much longer to recover from the early side effects of antidepressants. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider if your insomnia does not go away within 4 weeks. 

Effexor is generally a well-tolerated antidepressant, but it may not work well in every other individual. If Effexor is causing intolerable side effects in you, it may not be the best choice of antidepressant in your case. 

What does research suggest?

Several research studies have shown the link between the use of Effexor and insomnia. One research study found that Effexor (Venlafaxine) had several effects on sleep. 

It increased wakefulness and reduced sleep stages II and III. It also significantly decreased REM sleep, with complete suppression observed after four nights of use (1).

Another research study also indicated that Effexor affected sleep architecture and caused insomnia in the majority of test participants. The study also indicated that the addition of a low-dose sedative antidepressant, like Trazodone, can help mitigate insomnia caused by Effexor (2). 

The exact reason why Effexor can cause insomnia is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to how the medication affects certain chemicals in the brain, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine. These chemicals play a role in regulating sleep-wake cycles and mood (3,4).

By altering the balance of these chemicals, Effexor may disrupt normal sleep patterns, leading to difficulties with sleep.

How to get rid of Effexor-induced insomnia fast? 

Effexor-induced insomnia can take a few weeks to completely go away, but taking this medication differently may help reduce the intensity of your sleep disturbances. It’s best to take Effexor early in the morning if it causes insomnia. 

This may not guarantee a complete escape from insomnia, especially if you’re new to this antidepressant, but it can surely hit you less severely. You can also make some lifestyle changes or fix your bad sleeping habits if that’s the case with you. 

Doing a few things differently can help you maintain good sleep hygiene, like avoiding coffee after 4 pm and not using electronic gadgets at bedtime. 

However, insomnia on Effexor can affect the quality of your life if it persists. So it’s best to discuss this with your doctor at your next visit and determine the future safety and efficacy of Effexor use in your case. 

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References

1.-

Salín-Pascual RJ, Galicia-Polo L, Drucker-Colín R. Sleep changes after 4 consecutive days of venlafaxine administration in normal volunteers. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997 Aug;58(8):348-50. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v58n0803. PMID: 9515972. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9515972/

2.-

Bertschy G, Ragama-Pardos E, Muscionico M, Aït-Ameur A, Roth L, Osiek C, Ferrero F. Trazodone addition for insomnia in venlafaxine-treated, depressed inpatients: a semi-naturalistic study. Pharmacol Res. 2005 Jan;51(1):79-84. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2004.06.007. PMID: 15519538. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15519538/

3.-

Singh D, Saadabadi A. Venlafaxine. 2022 Oct 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30570984. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535363

4.-

Holliday SM, Benfield P. Venlafaxine. A review of its pharmacology and therapeutic potential in depression. Drugs. 1995 Feb;49(2):280-94. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199549020-00010. PMID: 7729333. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7729333/

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