Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
Published on: March 2, 2015
Effect of SSRIs and SNRIs on Nocturnal Urinary Frequency
Boris I Medarov1, Haroon Chaudhry2, Johnathan H Sun2
1Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA MedaroB@mail.amc.edu.
Background:
Existing data suggest that selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may have an impact on urinary frequency.
Objective:
To evaluate the impact of SSRIs and selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) on nocturnal urinary frequency.
Methods:
This was a retrospective study comparing nocturnal urinary frequency in individuals on SSRI or SNRI therapy versus no therapy during nocturnal polysomnography in a 14-month period at a sleep center.
Results:
A total of 316 individuals were studied: 94 in the SSRI/SNRI group and 222 controls. No statistically significant difference was found in nocturnal urinary frequency between those on SSRI/SNRI therapy and the control group (0.40 vs 0.34 bathroom visits/night, P = 0.40). The degree of urinary frequency was higher in sertraline users (0.61 bathroom visits/night) compared with duloxetine users (0.18 visits/night, 2-tailed P = 0.04). A post hoc analysis suggested that the difference between these 2 agents is a class effect (SSRIs vs SNRIs, 2-tailed P = 0.03). The sample size did not allow conclusive comparison of either the SSRI or the SNRI group with the control group.
Conclusion:
SSRI/SNRI agents as a combined group do not appear to have a significant impact on nocturnal urinary frequency. The SSRIs and SNRIs may have an opposite effect on nocturnal frequency.
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...

