From the Guidelines
Yes, night sweats can definitely be a side effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). This side effect is mentioned in the study by 1 as one of the potential adverse effects of SSRIs, which can include diaphoresis. The study notes that most adverse effects emerge within the first few weeks of treatment.
- SSRIs such as fluoxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, paroxetine, and citalopram can all potentially cause night sweats.
- The mechanism behind SSRI-induced sweating relates to how these medications affect the body's thermoregulatory system, as serotonin plays a role in temperature regulation.
- If you're experiencing troublesome night sweats while on an SSRI, you should discuss this with your healthcare provider, who might suggest changing the timing of your dose, gradually reducing the dose if appropriate, switching to a different antidepressant, or possibly adding another medication like mirtazapine or clonidine that can help reduce the sweating side effect, as general medical knowledge suggests these alternatives may be beneficial.
- Never stop taking an SSRI suddenly without medical supervision, as this can lead to discontinuation syndrome, which is characterized by various symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, and insomnia, as noted in the study by 1.
From the Research
Night Sweats as a Side Effect of SSRIs
- Night sweats can be a side effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), as suggested by several studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A study published in 2005 reported a case of excessive sweating probably caused by paroxetine, an SSRI, and reviewed the literature on antidepressant-induced sweating 2.
- Another study published in 2015 found that SSRIs were associated with night sweats in older patients, with an odds ratio of 3.01 3.
- A hypothesis put forward in 2010 attempted to explain how SSRIs can both initiate and inhibit sweating, depending on the noradrenergic "tone" resulting from the interaction of noradrenergic and serotonergic neurons in the brain 4.
- A systematic review of the literature on night sweats published in 2012 found that alpha adrenergic blockers may reduce night sweats in patients taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including SSRIs 5.
Management of SSRI-Induced Night Sweats
- The management of SSRI-induced side effects, including night sweats, is not well studied, and clinicians often rely on their own experience and preferences 6.
- A survey of psychiatrists published in 2002 found that the majority of clinicians opted to switch agents rather than add a specific medication to the existing SSRI to manage most SSRI-associated side effects, including night sweats 6.
- However, some studies suggest that adding certain medications, such as benztropine or cyproheptadine, may be effective in controlling SSRI-induced sweating 2.