Sertraline oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sertraline oral tablet to treat:

• major depressive disorder
• panic disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• social anxiety disorder
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder

This article describes possible side effects of sertraline oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for sertraline. You can explore this overview article to learn more about sertraline oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Sertraline oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Zoloft. Sertraline also comes in other forms that you’ll swallow, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Sertraline has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section below.

More common side effects of sertraline

Sertraline oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of sertraline oral tablet include:

• nausea
• loss of appetite and indigestion
• diarrhea or loose stools
• sexual problems, including low sex drive
• tremors or shaking
• increased sweating

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of sertraline

Sertraline may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of sertraline oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• vomiting
• constipation
• dry mouth
• heart palpitations (feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats)
• dizziness
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• indigestion
• diarrhea or loose stools
• insomnia*
• fatigue (low energy)
• anxiety
• tremors or shaking
• increased sweating
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of sertraline

Sertraline may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from sertraline oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with sertraline.

Serious side effects of sertraline oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• serotonin syndrome (a condition caused by a buildup of the brain chemical serotonin in the body)
• increased risk of bleeding
• seizures
• feeling agitated, including aggressive or violent behavior
• low sodium levels
• vision disturbances and eye problems*
• sexual problems, such as low sex drive and erectile dysfunction
• manic episodes
• discontinuation syndrome (a condition that causes symptoms when you stop taking sertraline, especially if you do so suddenly)
• suicidal thoughts and behaviors†
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section below.
† Sertraline oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section below.

Side effects of sertraline in children

For children, doctors prescribe sertraline oral tablet to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. The drug is prescribed for this purpose in children ages 6 years and older.

Children taking sertraline oral tablet experienced similar common side effects as adults. For details, see the “More common side effects of sertraline” section above.

Other side effects that were reported more often in children include:

• nosebleed
• restlessness
• fever
• increased muscle movements
• aggressive behavior
• purple spots on the skin from small blood vessel leakage
• joint pain
• anxiety
• weight loss
• slowed growth rate
• leaking of urine
• suicidal thoughts and behavior*

* Sertraline oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section below.

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking sertraline oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of sertraline

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of sertraline oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there certain side effects of sertraline that occur during the first week of treatment?

In studies of the drug, it’s unclear if any side effects of sertraline occurred within the first week of treatment. But it’s common to experience mild side effects when you first start taking a drug, including sertraline.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about your risk for side effects during your first week of treatment with sertraline oral tablet.

Does sertraline cause long-term side effects?

Usually, long-term side effects aren’t expected with sertraline oral tablet. In studies, long lasting side effects after treatment ended weren’t reported.

It isn’t known whether the risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors* in children continues with long-term use, for example, longer than 4 months.

Also, there aren’t sufficient studies evaluating the long-term effects of sertraline oral tablet on the growth rate of children.

Talk with your doctor about possible long-term side effects with sertraline oral tablet. Ask your doctor for more information about how long side effects of sertraline may last.

* Sertraline oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section below.

Can sertraline 100 mg cause more side effects than the drug’s other strengths?

It’s possible. You may experience more side effects after changing to a higher dosage.

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of sertraline oral tablet. For most conditions it’s prescribed to treat, you’ll likely start by taking less than 100 milligrams (mg) per day.

Your doctor may adjust your dose slowly over time until the right dosage is reached. Overdose, complications, or serotonin syndrome can occur if higher doses are taken before your body is used to the medication. (Serotonin syndrome is a condition caused by a buildup of the brain chemical serotonin in the body.)

Depending on the condition sertraline oral tablet is prescribed to treat, the recommended maximum dosage is usually 200 mg per day.

Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of sertraline oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

For more information about sertraline oral tablet’s dosages, see this overview article. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about possible side effects with your prescribed dosage.

Is weight gain a side effect of sertraline?

No, weight gain is not a reported side effect of sertraline oral tablet. In fact, some people experienced weight loss when taking sertraline. This side effect was more commonly reported in children.

In studies, weight loss wasn’t a commonly reported side effect in adults taking sertraline oral tablet. However, decreased appetite was a common side effect. Decreased appetite may lead to weight loss in some people.

To see how often decreased appetite and weight loss occurred in adults and children taking sertraline oral tablet, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about weight changes while taking sertraline oral tablet.

Coupon for sertraline

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for sertraline when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of sertraline in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of sertraline oral tablet.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Sertraline oral tablet has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 years and younger. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Keep in mind, sertraline oral tablet isn’t approved for children younger than 6 years.

In studies, this side effect was uncommon, but it may be serious. The risk is highest during the first few months of treatment or after a dosage change.

Due to this risk, your doctor will monitor you for possible suicidal thoughts or behavior during your treatment.

Ways to manage

If you or your child experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors while taking sertraline oral tablet, tell your doctor right away.

If you need urgent help, call 911 or your local emergency number. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Vision disturbances and eye problems

In studies, vision disturbances were common in people taking sertraline oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild. However, in some cases, angle-closure glaucoma can occur. This is a rare but serious side effect.

Common vision disturbances can include blurred vision and large pupils. You may also have difficulty focusing on near objects.

Certain people have a greater risk of angle-closure glaucoma when taking sertraline oral tablet, including those:

• ages 40 years and older
• with farsightedness
• who are female*
• who have a brother, sister, or parent with angle-closure glaucoma

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma can include:

• eye pain
• blurred vision
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• seeing colored rings around bright lights

Ways to manage

If you experience vision changes while taking sertraline oral tablet, tell your doctor. They may recommend an eye examination.

If you’re at risk of angle-closure glaucoma, your doctor may recommend an eye exam before you start sertraline oral tablet treatment. They’ll advise how to manage your condition depending on the results of your eye exam, including whether sertraline is safe for you to take.

Insomnia

In studies, insomnia (difficulty sleeping) was common in people taking sertraline oral tablet. This side effect most commonly occurred in people taking sertraline oral tablet for obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder.

This side effect is usually mild but may be serious in some cases. With insomnia, you may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

Other symptoms of insomnia may include:

• not feeling refreshed after several hours of sleep
• daytime fatigue
• memory and concentration problems
• difficulty functioning throughout the day

Ways to manage

In some cases, improving sleep hygiene may help reduce your insomnia. Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep each night and go to bed around the same time.

If you experience insomnia, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine intake, especially later in the day. They may also suggest avoiding large evening meals or intense exercise near bedtime.

Insomnia usually improves after a few weeks of taking the medication. However, if your insomnia is severe or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They may adjust your dosage or recommend a different medication.

Allergic reaction

For some people, sertraline oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect was rare in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to sertraline oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for sertraline

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking sertraline oral tablet.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Sertraline has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 years and younger. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of sertraline in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take sertraline oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether sertraline oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking sertraline oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• narrow eye angles, which increase the risk of angle-closure glaucoma
• seizures
• bipolar disorder
• liver problems
• past allergic reaction to sertraline
• long QT syndrome
• bleeding disorder
• low blood sodium level
• past stroke
• kidney condition
• liver condition
• use of certain medications that may interact with sertraline

Sertraline and pregnancy

It’s not known for sure whether it’s safe to take sertraline oral tablet during pregnancy. There haven’t been enough studies on the effects of sertraline oral tablet on a fetus. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Sertraline and breastfeeding

Studies show that sertraline can pass into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Sertraline and alcohol

Sertraline oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking sertraline oral tablet may increase your risk for certain side effects such as sleepiness.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with sertraline oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of sertraline oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with sertraline.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do the side effects compare between sertraline oral tablet and the brand-name version Zoloft.
• Are side effects of sertraline oral tablet more common in children than adults?
• Are the side effects comparable between sertraline oral tablet and other oral forms of the drug?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.