Sleep laboratory studies on the single-dose effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors paroxetine and fluoxetine on human sleep on awakening qualities

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 14; no. 5; pp. 439 - 447
• Main Authors: SALETU, B, FREY, R, KRUPKA, M, ANDERER, P, GRÜNBERGER, J, SEE, W. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rochester, MN American Academy of Sleep Medicine 01.10.1991
• Subjects: Adult; Arousal - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Electroencephalography - drug effects; Female; Fluoxetine - pharmacology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Monitoring, Physiologic; Neuropharmacology; Paroxetine; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Piperidines - pharmacology; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Serotonin Antagonists - pharmacology; Sleep Stages - drug effects; Wakefulness - drug effects; Human; Vigilance; Electrooculography; Sleep stage; Serotonin; Electrophysiology; Psychometrics; Electroencephalography; Uptake; Sleep; Neuromediator; Awakening; Antidepressant agent; Electromyography; Inhibition
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/14.5.439

Paroxetine is a novel antidepressant drug with selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitory properties. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover sleep laboratory study the single-dose effects on objective and subjective sleep and awakening qualities were investigated after paroxetine 20, 30 and 40 mg morning doses (PX 20, 30, 40), paroxetine 30 mg evening dose, fluoxetine 40 mg morning dose (FX 40) and placebo in 18 healthy young volunteers. The drugs were orally administered in 2-wk intervals. In addition to each drug night, the adaptation night and washout night were recorded. Polysomnographic investigations (10:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) showed a delayed sleep onset only after the morning intake of paroxetine, PX 40 being statistically different from placebo. Total sleep time and sleep efficiency deteriorated under morning PX 30, PX 40 and evening PX 30 as compared to placebo. The nocturnal wake time and sleep stage 1 increased under the paroxetine. Rapid eye movement (REM) reduction (min and %) occurred dose dependently after all paroxetine doses, but the REM latency was lengthened only after the morning intake. The suppressant effect on REM sleep is characteristic for antidepressants and was still significant in the washout nights following PX 40 and evening PX 30. The only statistically relevant finding under 40 mg fluoxetine referred to the increase of REM latency in both drug and washout nights. In contrast to objective results, subjective sleep quality remained generally unchanged. Attention, concentration and reaction performance improved under paroxetine as compared to baseline. The deterioration of well-being under PX 40 might be related to the appearance of drowsiness and nausea. Blood pressure and pulse rate were unaffected.