Zoloft (Sertraline) For Depression, Side Effects, Dosage ... - RxList

What Is Zoloft?

Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressant prescribed for the treatment of:

• depression,
• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD),
• panic disorder,
• posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
• social anxiety disorder, and
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Zoloft is available as a generic drug.

What Are Side Effects of Zoloft?

Zoloft may cause serious side effects including:

• seizure (convulsions),
• blurred vision,
• tunnel vision,
• eye pain or swelling,
• headache,
• confusion,
• memory problems,
• severe weakness,
• feeling unsteady,
• racing thoughts,
• increased energy,
• unusual risk-taking behavior,
• extreme happiness, and
• being irritable or talkative

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Zoloft include:

• sleepiness
• drowsiness
• tired feeling
• nervousness
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• dizziness
• nausea
• skin rash
• headache
• diarrhea
• constipation
• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• dry mouth
• changes in appetite
• abnormal ejaculation
• impotence
• decreased sex drive
• difficulty having an orgasm
• dry mouth, and
• weight loss.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Zoloft including:

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, overactive reflexes, tremors;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination;
• trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Zoloft

Zoloft dosage depends on the condition being treated.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Zoloft?

Zoloft may interact with:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
• other medicines that make you sleepy such as:
  • cold or allergy medicine,
  • sedatives,
  • narcotics,
  • sleeping pills,
  • muscle relaxers, and
  • medicines for seizures or anxiety
• cimetidine,
• digoxin,
• fentanyl,
• linezolid,
• lithium,
• St. John's wort,
• tramadol,
• 5-hydroxytryptophan,
• valproate,
• blood thinners,
• cough and cold medicines,
• other antidepressants,
• heart rhythm medications, or
• migraine headache medicines.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Zoloft During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Zoloft use during pregnancy may lead to adverse effects in the newborn. It is unknown if Zoloft passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. In some patients, if Zoloft is discontinued abruptly, withdrawal side effects include abdominal cramps, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and memory impairment.

Additional Information

Our Zoloft Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.