Medications That Cause Night Sweats

Antidepressants

• The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), including Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), and Fluvoxamine (Luvox), can cause night sweats as a side effect 1
• The Annals of Oncology reports that Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Desvenlafaxine, can also cause night sweats 2
• The American Academy of Family Physicians states that Tricyclic Antidepressants, including Desipramine (Norpramin) and Nortriptyline (Pamelor), can cause night sweats 3
• The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that other antidepressants, such as Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Mirtazapine (Remeron), and Nefazodone (Serzone), can also cause night sweats 3

Hormonal Medications

• The Annals of Oncology reports that Hormone Replacement Therapy can cause night sweats 2

Cardiovascular Medications

• The European Urology journal notes that Calcium channel blockers can cause night sweats 4

Other Medications

• The British Journal of Pharmacology reports that Antipsychotics, including Quetiapine and Olanzapine, can cause night sweats 5
• The British Journal of Pharmacology notes that Opioids and opiates can also cause night sweats 5
• The European Urology journal states that Lithium and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with prolonged use can cause night sweats 4

Special Considerations for Older Adults

• The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that older adults taking SSRIs, including citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, mirtazapine, venlafaxine, and bupropion, be monitored for night sweats 1
• The American Geriatrics Society recommends avoiding paroxetine and fluoxetine in older adults due to higher rates of adverse effects, which may include night sweats, with an odds ratio of 3.01 (95% CI 1.26-7.19) for experiencing night sweats while taking these medications 6

Medication-Induced Night Sweats

Medications Associated with Night Sweats

• Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol succinate ER, can occasionally cause sweating as a side effect, though this is less common than with opioids, according to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 7
• The American Heart Association recommends considering alternative antihypertensive medications, such as those other than amlodipine, if night sweats are significantly affecting quality of life, as suggested by Hypertension 8