Antidepressants with a sedating effect

Sometimes prescription drugs used mainly to treat depression may ease insomnia when taken in lower doses. Although widely used, these are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for insomnia. When insomnia is secondary to depression or anxiety, antidepressants may improve both conditions at the same time.

Examples include:

• Amitriptyline
• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Trazodone