Can you drink caffeine on sertraline?
You may be more likely to experience stomach upset or other gastrointestinal side effects from sertraline if you’re also consuming a lot of caffeine. People at risk for prolonged QT syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that affects heart rhythm, may need to avoid caffeine while taking sertraline. If you have been taking sertraline for more than a month and you continue to feel very tired, sleepy or struggle to function during the day, you should go back to your doctor and discuss what changes could be made to help. This may include switching to a different medication.Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on Dec 3, 2025. Sertraline can make some people feel sleepy due to its effects on chemicals in the brain, especially in the first days to weeks of treatment. Others experience the opposite problem and develop insomnia instead.Results show that sertraline has beneficial effects on core depression and anxiety symptoms as early as after 2 weeks of treatment, counteracted by detrimental effects on somatic symptoms of depression.As an SSRI, it boosts serotonin levels to regulate mood. For those with major depression or panic disorders, it may have an “upper” effect by improving energy, motivation, and emotional balance over time. In some cases, Zoloft can cause fatigue, sluggishness, or emotional numbing, making it feel like a downer.It usually takes about 2 weeks for sertraline to begin working, but sometimes longer. After around a week, sertraline levels will start to build up in your body. It takes a few more weeks for your body to get used to sertraline. Do not stop taking sertraline after a week or two because you feel it is not helping.
Can caffeine worsen depression?
A negative relationship between caffeine and depression was found when caffeine intake was lower than 90 mg. However, when caffeine intake was greater than 90 mg, there was not a significant association between caffeine intake and depression. There’s no clear link between caffeine intake and depression. However, caffeine intake and depression may be linked indirectly for people who are particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine or who have too much caffeine. Caffeine can cause sleep problems that affect mood.
Can caffeine and antidepressants cause serotonin syndrome?
To avoid this and any other potential side effects, here’s an overview how caffeine and antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds mix, broken down by the type of medication. The potential for serotonin syndrome is heightened when mixing energy drinks and antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds. Arlette Perry, director of the Laboratory of Clinical and Applied Physiology at the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development, explained that our dopamine and serotonin levels increase when caffeine is consumed.Single or multiple doses of caffeine increased the concentration of brainstem serotonin (40–100%). Caffeine also increased the concentration of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in the brain indicating that caffeine did not prevent serotonin deamination by monoamine oxidase.Caffeine is chemically related to adenosine, a neurotransmitter that relaxes the brain and causes drowsiness. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine from binding to its receptor, heightening alertness, reducing fatigue, and increasing attentive performance.
Can I take caffeine while on antidepressants?
Take your antidepressant in the morning if your doctor approves. Avoid caffeinated food and drinks, particularly late in the day. Get regular physical activity or exercise — but complete it several hours before bedtime so it doesn’t interfere with your sleep. Fatigue, drowsiness Take a brief nap during the day. Get some physical activity, such as walking. Avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery until the fatigue passes. Take your antidepressant at bedtime if your doctor approves.
Can caffeine worsen anxiety?
Caffeine can promote anxiety in several ways by: Blocking your ability to relax: When caffeine crosses into your brain, it binds itself to adenosine, a neurotransmitter that helps your body relax. When caffeine and adenosine connect, adenosine cannot do its job, leaving you feeling alert and possibly anxious. Caffeine can make your anxiety worse, but that does not necessarily mean you should quit. Whether quitting caffeine is right for you, as a strategy for reducing your anxiety, depends on a number of factors – including your ability to exercise and your access to psychotherapy.
Does caffeine affect serotonin levels?
Caffeine increases the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve focus and cognition. Elevating mood. It also increases serotonin levels, along with dopamine, which result in that uplifting feeling. Caffeine in coffee can boost the effectiveness of over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory pain drugs, including aspirin and ibuprofen. However, for many other important medications, coffee can cause interactions that decrease their potency.