Effect of SSRIs and SNRIs on Nocturnal Urinary Frequency.

Abstract

Existing data suggest that selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may have an impact on urinary frequency. To evaluate the impact of SSRIs and selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) on nocturnal urinary frequency. 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. 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. 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.