Sedation on SSRIs/SRNIs

[DazedandConfusedat39]

Hi all, just wondered if anyone else has experienced excessive fatigue/drowsiness from SSRIs/SRNIs and how did they manage it?

I have tried Citalopram, Escitalopram, Sertraline, Venlafaxine, Duloxetine and now Fluoxetine. All have caused off the scale drowsiness such that I am unable to work, drive safely or even follow anything on TV. Think just waking up from a general anaesthetic crossed with being stoned all day. I have tried taking them in the evening/exercise/slapping myself in the face and caffeine but nothing penetrates the fog. I have given it up to ~6 months too for the side effects to lessen but they don't.

I presume it's the serotonin as they all have this same side effect? Has anyone experienced this and found an AD which didn't cause it? Or a drug they can take which helps with the sedation? I've seen in the US they can get Wellbutrin prescribed in addition to help but doubt my GP would agree to it.

Thanks in advance

I didn't have this side effect but when experiencing other SEs
I see you've already tried taking it in the evening which would have been my first suggestion.
Can you reduce the dose?
or
split the dose into half am half pm. sometimes this can help reduce the intensity of SE

GPs can prescribe Bupropion but it has to be done as a special. most chemists won't supply it and it has to done on special order. I think it has to be initiated by a specialist as well.

mirtazipine is a sedative AD but it may be worth trying to see if it sedates appropriately
if the ADs aren't working for their intended purpose you may be able to try vortioxetine

Hi, thanks for your reply :) Yes I tried reducing the dose to the lowest dose possible sadly (half a child's dose!).The ADs help with the low mood/anxiety but I'd also like to be able to work and not be housebound which is the problem. Thanks, I shall ask about Vortioxetine as a possible option.

I have never had trouble getting it from any chemist as a regular prescription (not a special) and no special order required so perhaps this is a geographical thing.

All SSRI’s can cause sedation some more than others but they have all caused you extreme sedation you have been very unlucky. I found this table that ranks types of AD drugs by the level of sedation they cause it seems that of the more well know ones bupropion and Vortioxetine are the least sedating
https://cdn.sanity.io/images/0vv8moc6/psychtimes/5cbe19960b9d8dc2cd3f77d2620c6ead7abdfe0b-1556x397.jpg?auto=format

I found venafalaxine very sedating for me (lowest dose and even went lower - two thirds ) it calmed the anxiety but couldn’t function (like you , work , kids etc )
Im on sertraline now - less sedating but less effective for anxiety for me !