{"id":9945,"date":"2020-03-27T14:48:37","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T18:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=9945"},"modified":"2023-08-04T16:40:25","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T20:40:25","slug":"sertraline-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sertraline-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Zoloft side effects and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jxMSrZsGgEI?rel=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/sertraline-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sertraline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, most commonly known by its brand name, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zoloft\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoloft<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is a popular prescription medication used to treat <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/depression-treatment-and-medications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/anxiety-treatment-and-medications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anxiety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/ptsd-treatment-and-medications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), meaning it works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/side-effects-of-antidepressants\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with many antidepressants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, people who take sertraline may experience some adverse effects. Continue reading to learn about sertraline side effects, warnings, and possible drug interactions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/sertraline-hcl\/what-is\">Sertraline details<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zoloft\/what-is\">Zoloft details<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common side effects of sertraline<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With any medication, there is always a risk of experiencing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2719451\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">potential adverse effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To know when you&#8217;re experiencing side effects, it helps to understand how the drug should make you feel when it&#8217;s working correctly. In the case of sertraline, patients can expect to feel improvements in mood, appetite, sleep quality, energy level, and interest in daily life. In other words, an easing of symptoms like depression and anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Sertraline, just as all other SSRIs, increases circulating serotonin levels in the human body, promoting a sense of well-being and allowing persons with depression and anxiety to cope better with their current situation or condition,&#8221; says to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tenetfloridaphysicianservices.com\/doctors\/phyid-230-dr-raul-l-perez-vazquez\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raul Perez-Vazquez<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, MD, a primary care physician of Tenet Florida Physician Services and West Boca Medical Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the most common sertraline side effects:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/diarrhea-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heartburn or indigestion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight loss or weight gain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nervousness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in sex drive<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Erectile dysfunction, including delayed ejaculation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive sweating<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>When do Zoloft side effects go away?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of the common side effects listed below can go away after a few weeks while the body adjusts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Sertraline itself takes about a month to start working, and many of the mild side effects diminish after your body has adjusted to the medication,&#8221; says David Nazarian, MD, a primary care physician at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.myconciergemd.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My Concierge MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Beverly Hills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s a good idea to track side effects that you experience and keep your healthcare professional updated so your physician can effectively monitor reactions and adjust medication as needed. Most importantly, tell a doctor if side effects are severe, worsening, or do not go away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious side effects of sertraline<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are some less common, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/druginfo\/meds\/a697048.html#side-effects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">severe side effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of sertraline. The following symptoms require immediate medical attention:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abnormal bleeding or bruising<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agitation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever, sweating, shivering<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hallucinations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hives or rash<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of coordination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle stiffness or twitching<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid heartbeat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoloft withdrawal<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although most of the side effects are reversible, you should not stop taking sertraline abruptly. Instead, speak with a healthcare provider before discontinuing this medication to avoid withdrawal symptoms. A doctor can devise a plan to slowly taper the medication.\u00a0 Withdrawal symptoms include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability\/mood swings\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nightmares<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collectively, these symptoms are called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which requires immediate medical assistance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sertraline warnings<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2016\/019839S74S86S87_20990S35S44S45lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> warnings include restrictions for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients who are allergic to sertraline or any of its inactive ingredients<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnant women or those who may become pregnant, as sertraline may cause problems in newborns following delivery<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women who are breastfeeding since sertraline may pass through breast milk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those with preexisting eye problems that may make them susceptible to develop angle-closure glaucoma, which can cause severe eye pain or even blindness. An eye test may be required before receiving a sertraline prescription.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/bipolar-disorder-treatment-and-medications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those with bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If sertraline is taken without a mood stabilizer, a patient may be at risk for shifting into a manic or hypomanic episode.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the most significant warning to be aware of when taking sertraline is the potential for suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in young adults. All antidepressants, in fact, have a boxed warning (the strongest warning required by the FDA) about antidepressants and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the drugmaker <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pfizermedicalinformation.com\/en-us\/patient\/zoloft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pfizer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a patient may become suicidal, especially at the beginning of treatment and any time that the dose is increased or decreased. Pfizer advises patients to call a healthcare provider right away if you notice new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts. Patients and their families should be made aware of this rare but possible effect. Otherwise, all patients should regularly follow up with a doctor and call between appointments if experiencing any of the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling agitated, restless, angry, or irritable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An increase in activity or talking more than usual<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New or worsening depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New or worsening anxiety or panic attacks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble sleeping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acting on dangerous impulses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acting aggressive or violent<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thoughts about suicide or dying<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attempts to commit suicide<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other unusual changes in behavior or mood<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drowsiness<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A common side effect of sertraline is sleepiness, which could affect your ability to react quickly or make clear decisions. For this reason, there is a strong warning not to drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how sertraline affects you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serotonin syndrome<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening condition that can be caused by taking sertraline with other medications that increase the production of serotonin in the body. These medications include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs\u2014don&#8217;t use Zoloft within 14 days of these medications).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other SSRIs (like Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SNRIs (like Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Triptans (Imitrex, Maxalt, etc)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil or Pamelor)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fentanyl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fentanyl<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lithium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/tramadol-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tramadol<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/tryptophan\">Tryptophan<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/buspirone-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buspirone<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/st-johns-wort\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. John&#8217;s Wort<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fanapt (iloperidone)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thorazine (chlorpromazine)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription-discount-card\"><strong>Get the SingleCare prescription discount card<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncontrolled muscle spasms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavy sweating\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stiff muscles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of consciousness (passing out)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sertraline interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before taking a new prescription drug, you should disclose all medications that you&#8217;re currently taking. Over-the-counter, prescription drugs, and even natural remedies like supplements have the potential to cause harmful drug-drug interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certain antipsychotics<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mixing sertraline with antipsychotics increases your risk of heart conditions, including cardiac arrest. One example is Orap (pimozide), an antipsychotic medication often prescribed to people with Tourette syndrome. Geodon (ziprasidone) and droperidol are other antipsychotics that could interact with sertraline.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood thinners<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking sertraline with blood thinners (aspirin, Plavix, heparin, warfarin) can increase your risk of bleeding, including nosebleeds as well as stomach and intestinal bleeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combining sertraline with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1884264\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NSAIDs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, like ibuprofen or naproxen, can also increase the risk of severe stomach issues, including life-threatening bleeding, and low sodium levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should not drink alcohol while taking sertraline as both affect chemicals in the brain. Alcohol may alter the effectiveness of sertraline and lead to side effects, including sleep problems and excessive drowsiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, Antabuse (disulfiram), which treats alcoholism, cannot be combined with the liquid form of sertraline because of the alcohol content in liquid sertraline.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to avoid sertraline side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to prevent sertraline side effects is to take the medication exactly as prescribed by a doctor and in alignment with the drug manufacturer&#8217;s instructions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The starting dose of sertraline is 25 to 50 mg per day, which can be slowly tapered up if necessary. Sertraline dosages can be adjusted by the physician through close monitoring of the patient and your response to the medication. &#8220;Always begin sertraline at the lowest dose, and increase slowly, reevaluating symptoms periodically, and using the lowest effective dose,&#8221; says Dr. Perez-Vazquez.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sertraline can be taken with or without food, according to Pfizer. However, if the liquid concentrate form of sertraline is prescribed, it must be diluted with water, ginger ale, lemon or lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few other steps you can take to help minimize sertraline side effects while you&#8217;re waiting for your body to adjust to the new medication. &#8220;Some small lifestyle modifications can assist with sertraline side effects, like taking the medication at night to prevent lethargy or eating small frequent meals to avoid nausea,&#8221; says Dr. Nazarian. &#8220;By listening to your body, noticing the side effects, and making appropriate interventions early on, discomfort can be minimized.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another sometimes overlooked step in ensuring the medication acts as it should is to follow manufacturer instructions on how to store the prescription carefully. Regarding sertraline, the bottle should be tightly closed, kept out of the reach of children, and stored at room temperature, 68\u00b0F to 77\u00b0F (20\u00b0C to 25\u00b0C).<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sertraline, most commonly known by its brand name, Zoloft, is a popular prescription medication used to treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), meaning it works by increasing the amount of serotonin in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":9946,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[451],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-9945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-depression","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sertraline side effects and interactions, and how to avoid them<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Zoloft (sertraline) side effects\u2014weight changes, decreased libido, drowsiness\u2014should go away after a few weeks. 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