Suggest Medication For Sleeplessness While On Lithium And Anafranil

Posted on Tue, 2 Jan 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 2 Jan 2018 Answered on

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello... I take Lithium and anafranil. The anafranil has stopped the intrusive thoughts only now I cant sleep. I've tried doxapin, resteral, benadryl, melatonin, tea, do you have any suggestions as to how I can get some sleep. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Dose of Anafranil can be increased.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can understand your concern. You are currently on Anafranil and Lithium. Both these drugs cause sedation and help in sleep. Anafranil results in improvement of sleep. If your thoughts are under control then you can ask your doctor to increase the dose of Anafranil. This will help in improvement of sleep.

Alternatively low dose Olanzapine or Quetiapine can be used to improve the sleep. These medicines will supplement the actions of Anafranil too. You can talk with your doctor for these.

Thanks and Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar