When is the best time of day to take Zoloft for anxiety?

In this article:

• What is Zoloft?
• Zoloft timing
• Factors influencing timing
• Morning dosing
• Evening dosing
• Tips for optimizing your regimen
• When to re-evaluate your timing
• How to save

In this article

• What is Zoloft?
• Zoloft timing
• Factors influencing timing
• Morning dosing
• Evening dosing
• Tips for optimizing your regimen
• When to re-evaluate your timing
• How to save

Zoloft (sertraline) works as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, to treat depression and other mental health conditions. It is usually prescribed to be taken by mouth once daily, with or without food. While it should be taken consistently, the best time of day to take Zoloft depends on how it affects you. If Zoloft makes you drowsy, you may want to take it in the evening, but if it makes you feel more awake, you may prefer to take it in the morning. Continue reading to learn more about Zoloft, including its side effects and the best time to take it.

What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is an SSRI antidepressant that contains the active ingredient sertraline. It’s believed to work by balancing serotonin, a brain chemical involved with managing mood and emotions. This SSRI medication is approved to treat the following conditions:

• Major depressive disorder (depression)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder (PD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Anxiety is a common condition, affecting around 40 million adults in the United States, with about 31% of adults experiencing an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Although it’s commonly used for depression, Zoloft can treat anxiety symptoms related to panic attacks and social situations. However, it can take up to several weeks for Zoloft to start improving mental health symptoms. 

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When is the best time of day to take Zoloft for anxiety?

The prescribing information for Zoloft does not recommend an optimal time to take your daily dose. So, the best way to take Zoloft would be to see how it makes you feel and decide on the best time of day that works for you. 

In clinical trials, about 11% of patients taking Zoloft experienced drowsiness or sleepiness as a side effect. If Zoloft makes you feel tired, you may decide that taking it at bedtime works for you. However, about 20% of patients in clinical trials reported insomnia, or trouble sleeping, as a side effect of Zoloft. If Zoloft causes you to have trouble sleeping, you may choose to take it in the morning so that it does not affect your sleep. 

Once you decide the best time of day to take Zoloft, it’s best to be consistent and take it around the same time every day. For example, if you take it at 10:00 p.m., before bedtime, take it around that time every night. 

You can use a weekly pill box to keep your medications organized, or set a nightly reminder on your phone to remind you to take your medication. You can also ask your pharmacist for other ideas on how to remember to take your medication.

It may take several weeks until you notice the full effect of taking Zoloft daily. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and slowly increase it if needed. If your symptoms do not improve, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider. Do not stop taking Zoloft unless your doctor tells you to do so. 

Does the prescribed dosage affect the recommended timing?

For most people, the Zoloft dose doesn’t change the best time to take it. Whether you’re on a lower or higher dose, Zoloft is still taken once per day. If the dose is increased, most providers recommend keeping the same schedule at first. If new side effects develop, that’s when it could make sense to switch the timing.

Certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, bipolar disorder, or a history of seizures, may affect how Zoloft is prescribed. A healthcare provider may consider these factors when prescribing the drug.

Factors influencing Zoloft timing

To truly pinpoint your ideal timing, we need to consider a few critical factors. Think of these as the variables in your personal Zoloft equation.

1. Side effects

This is one of the most important factors in Zoloft timing. Like most prescription medications, Zoloft can come with a range of side effects, especially when you first start taking it or when your dose is adjusted. Some common side effects include:

• Nausea or digestive upset: For some, Zoloft can cause nausea, an upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion.
• Drowsiness or fatigue: While less common than with some other SSRIs, some individuals find Zoloft makes them feel sleepy or fatigued.
• Insomnia or agitation: Conversely, others experience an activating effect, leading to difficulty sleeping or feeling restless.

Higher doses of an antidepressant medication could cause you to feel more side effects, such as dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, or agitation. Higher serotonin levels are also linked to serious side effects, such as serotonin syndrome and suicidal thoughts, in severe cases. Other potential side effects include sexual dysfunction, weight loss, and joint pain.

The timing becomes key here: if Zoloft makes you drowsy, taking it in the morning might hinder your daytime activities. If it keeps you awake, a morning dose would be preferable to an evening one. If it upsets your stomach, taking it with a meal, regardless of time, can be very helpful.

2. Personal schedule 

Consistency is important for any long-term drug like Zoloft. It needs to be taken regularly, ideally at roughly the same time each day. While it doesn’t have to be taken at the exact same hour and minute every day, having a regular schedule can help keep drug levels steady.

Consider your daily routine:

• Are you a morning person with a predictable breakfast routine?
• Do you often forget things in the morning rush?
• Is your evening more stable, perhaps with dinner at a consistent hour?

The “best” time is one you can reliably stick to, day in and day out, without fail. Forgetting doses can lead to changing medication levels, potentially decreasing efficacy or even triggering withdrawal symptoms if doses are constantly missed.

3. Individual response to medication

You are unique, and so is your body’s response to medication. Two people taking the exact same dose of Zoloft might experience entirely different side effects or treatment timelines. This variability means that what works for your friend or a family member might not be what works best for you. It’s often about adapting to what works.

Morning dosing: Pros and cons

Taking Zoloft in the morning can work well for many people who don’t experience drowsiness. This timing can also be ideal for those with specific morning routines.

Pros 

• Helps avoid daytime sleepiness if Zoloft makes you drowsy 
• Takes advantage of its energizing effects for people who feel more alert on it 
• Easy to pair with other morning habits, which can improve consistency 

Cons 

• Nausea or stomach upset may interfere with your day, especially early on 
• Some people experience brain fog or problems with focus during peak daytime hours 
• Busy mornings can increase the risk of forgetting a dose

Evening dosing: Pros and cons

Some people prefer to take Zoloft at night based on the side effects. Those with a more concrete evening routine may also find it more convenient to take Zoloft at that time. 

Pros 

• May reduce the severity of side effects during the workday 
• Can help with sleep if Zoloft causes drowsiness 
• Fits easily into a nightly routine, such as after dinner or before bed

Cons 

• May worsen insomnia or restlessness in people who find that Zoloft stimulates their brain
• Nausea at night can disrupt sleep 
• Greater chance of drug interactions with evening medications, supplements, or alcohol

Tips for optimizing your Zoloft regimen

Beyond morning or evening timing, there may be other strategies to help you get the most benefit from Zoloft.

Consistency is key

This cannot be overstated. Pick a time and stick to it as closely as possible every single day. Erratic dosing could make the drug less effective at managing symptoms. If you miss a dose of Zoloft, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s close to your next dose. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Don’t double-dose to make up for a missed dose.

Taking Zoloft with food

For many, taking Zoloft with food helps reduce digestive side effects such as nausea and an upset stomach. It doesn’t need to be a huge meal, but a decent snack or a main meal can provide a buffer. This is a common and highly effective strategy, whether you take it in the morning or the evening.

Setting reminders

People who are busy professionals can often find it hard to remember to take their medication. Setting a daily alarm on your phone, using a medication reminder app, or even linking it to a recurring calendar event can be useful. You could also place your medication in a highly visible spot that’s part of your routine, like next to your toothbrush or coffee maker.

Keeping a medication journal

This can be an effective tool, especially in the early weeks. Jot down the time you took your Zoloft, any side effects you experienced (and their severity or duration), your general mood, and overall sleep quality. A medication journal can be helpful for you and your doctor, allowing you to see patterns and make the right changes to your timing or dosage. 

When to re-evaluate your Zoloft timing

Your Zoloft regimen isn’t set in stone. Your body changes, your life changes, and sometimes, what once worked perfectly needs a small adjustment.

Persistent side effects

If you’ve been on Zoloft for several weeks, and particularly if you’ve increased your dose, persistent or worsening side effects are a clear sign that a change is needed. Persistent side effects can include ongoing nausea and changes in sleep that disrupt daily functioning. These aren’t just minor inconveniences; they can significantly affect your quality of life and your adherence to the treatment plan.

Changes in lifestyle or routine

Life happens. A new job with a different schedule, becoming a parent, a significant change in sleep patterns, or even relocating to a different time zone can all affect how your medication timing affects you. If your lifestyle changes, your medication schedule might need to change with it.

Lack of efficacy

Zoloft takes time to work, but if you’ve reached a stable dose and have been consistently taking it for several weeks without improvement in symptoms, timing might be a factor. However, it’s more likely your doctor will consider a dose change or other treatment options. Still, taking it at an optimal dose and time can affect how effective it is. 

How to save on your Zoloft prescription

Medications can be costly, and many people have trouble affording their prescription drugs. Fortunately, there are several options available to help you save on your Zoloft prescription. 

1. Choose the generic. Generic Zoloft (sertraline) could save you a considerable amount more than the brand-name version. Generics are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be the same as their brand-name counterparts, so they are just as effective at a lower cost. 
2. Compare prices. Most insurance companies and Medicare prescription plans cover generic sertraline. However, you may want to ask your pharmacist to compare the price with your insurance to the cost with a free SingleCare card. Anyone with a valid prescription can use SingleCare at participating pharmacies across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. What’s more, you can use SingleCare on refills, too. Check the SingleCare website or mobile app to start saving today.