Sertraline (Zoloft)

Key takeaways:

• Sertraline is a generic antidepressant used for the treatment of depression and some anxiety disorders. It is sold under the name Zoloft.
• Sertraline can take between 2 and 4 weeks to have the desired effect. Individuals should not stop taking sertraline without consulting their doctor first.
• Individuals should seek emergency medical intervention for symptoms of serotonin syndrome, manic episodes, or an increase in thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Sertraline overview

Sertraline is the generic name of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is a type of antidepressant. This medication does have a risk of adverse effects (some of which include suicidal thoughts), especially if it is taken with other medications or alcohol. For this reason, sertraline is only available to individuals who have a prescription from a qualified mental health professional.

Brand names

The most common brand name for sertraline is Zoloft, which is the name this medication is sold under. Sertraline may also be sold as Lustral outside of the U.S. Other lesser-known brand names for sertraline include Depreger, Seretral, and Setrona. ^[2]

How does sertraline work?

As with other SSRI medications, sertraline increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates sleep, personality, and mood. Sertraline works by blocking brain cells from absorbing serotonin. This leads serotonin to build up gradually as someone continues to take the drug. ^[1] Over time, this improves someone’s mood and eases symptoms of depression and similar mental health concerns.

When is it prescribed?

Mental health professionals may prescribe sertraline for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Sertraline may also be used for the treatment of social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder. ^[3] Some research supports the use of sertraline for bulimia nervosa, body dysmorphic disorder, and depression stemming from chronic pain and fatigue. ^[4]

What to know before taking sertraline

Sertraline should be taken as prescribed by a doctor only after weighing potential risks and drug interactions. If you are scheduled for laboratory tests (such as bloodwork or urine tests), be sure the laboratory and your doctor are aware that you are taking sertraline, since this can affect your test results. ^[3]

Dosage

Sertraline is available in tablets with doses of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg; capsules in 150 mg and 200 mg doses; and liquid (20 mg/mL per dose). ^[6] Starting doses are between 25 and 50 mg daily, depending on diagnosis, and may gradually increase to between 50 and 200 mg per day. ^[1] It is important to take this medication at the same time each day. ^[2] This prevents the medication levels in your system from dropping too low. Sertraline capsules may be taken with or without food.

Precautions

Individuals who take sertraline along with medications for asthma, cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, cancer, malaria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and infections are at a higher risk of heart problems. The same applies to individuals taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants or other psychiatric medications.

Be sure to inform your doctor if this is the case. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also increase your risk of bleeding or bruising. ^[2] Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex, as this can impact your ability to take liquid sertraline. ^[3]

Side effects

As with any medication, sertraline comes along with side effects. Some are mild and not a cause for concern, though they should be reported to your doctor, who may choose to adjust your dosage accordingly. Other sertraline side effects are more severe and warrant emergency intervention. These should be reported to your doctor immediately.

Common side effects

Sertraline may cause minor side effects such as decreased appetite, low sexual desire, loss of appetite, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, increased sweating, shaking/trembling, and difficulty ejaculating. ^[2] It is estimated that between 5% and 20% of people taking sertraline experience these side effects. ^{[2] [4]}

Other common side effects of this medication include itching, constipation, sleep changes, dry mouth, weight changes, dizziness, fainting, excessive fatigue, nasal congestion, hair loss, and headaches. ^{[3] [1] [4]} These side effects are considered minor if they are not very uncomfortable or only last a few days. However, if any of these side effects become severe and last for longer than a week, it is important to contact your doctor as they may be signs of a more serious problem.

Rare and severe side effects

More serious side effects associated with sertraline include: ^{[3] [2] [5]}

• Seizures.
• Hives (especially if accompanied by fever and joint pain).
• Rash.
• Vision changes.
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, throat, or face.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Abnormal bruising or bleeding.
• Agitation along with coordination problems, sweating, increased heartbeat, shivering, hallucinations, fever, and confusion.
• Racing thoughts with risk-taking behaviors, irritability, excessive talking, and a sharp increase in energy (this may be a sign of a manic episode).
• Headache along with confusion, coordination problems, and muscle weakness (this may be a sign of low blood sodium).
• Angle-closure glaucoma.

Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a serious complication that can develop after taking sertraline. Someone is most at risk of serotonin syndrome if they are also taking other medications that affect serotonin levels in the body. ^{[1] [7]} This complication causes someone to experience a severe combination of adverse effects, including muscle stiffness, twitching, incoordination, nausea, delirium, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, excessive shivering, profuse sweating, fever, hallucinations, and agitation. ^{[2] [1]} In the event you experience these symptoms, discontinue sertraline and seek emergency medical attention immediately. ^[4] Untreated serotonin syndrome can lead to seizures or death. ^[6]

Drug interactions with sertraline

MAOIs, other SSRIs, opioid analgesics, stimulants, cough suppressants that contain dextromethorphan, St. John’s Wort, and medication for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease are all known to interact negatively with sertraline. ^{[1] [7]} Individuals taking Antabuse and Tryptophan should not take sertraline due to the negative interactions reported. ^[3] Alcohol is also known to interact negatively with this medication so individuals should ask their doctor if they consume alcohol regularly.

Cessation and withdrawal

You should not stop taking sertraline unless directed to by your doctor, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. To avoid this, doctors gradually reduce doses for 2 to 4 weeks to slowly lower the amount of the drug in someone’s body. ^[2] If you suddenly stop taking this medication, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as ear ringing, numbness and tingling in the extremities, difficulty sleeping, seizures, headache, tiredness, dizziness, irritability, anxiety, confusion, nausea, sweating, and depression. ^{[3] [1]}

When to stop taking sertraline

If you experience any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, it is important to stop taking sertraline immediately. If you experience swelling of the throat/face or hives (especially when alongside joint pain and a fever), you should stop taking sertraline. These are signs you may be allergic to the medication. ^{[3] [2] [5]} Otherwise, you should not stop taking this medication without speaking to your doctor first.

Sertraline FAQs

Is it safe while pregnant?

Research shows that taking sertraline while pregnant can place an unborn baby at risk of premature birth and pulmonary hypertension. However, some experts believe the adverse effects of untreated depression on both a mother and their child are more severe than those related to heart and lung problems. ^[6] Doctors must carefully weigh these risks alongside other aspects of someone’s medical history before recommending this drug to individuals who are pregnant. ^[1]

Does sertraline cause weight gain?

Weight gain is one of the adverse side effects of this medication. However, research estimates that weight gain is low, ranging from 1% to 1.6% of an individual’s body weight. ^[2]

How long does sertraline take to work?

Because sertraline needs to build up in your body, individuals taking this medication should begin to see effects after 4 to 6 weeks of regular doses. Although the exact timeline is somewhat dependent on diagnosis. Individuals taking sertraline for OCD or PTSD may not see effects until 12 weeks. ^[2]

Author

Brittany Ferri

Brittany Ferri holds a PhD in Integrative Mental Health and is an occupational therapist, health writer, medical reviewer, and book author.

Activity History - Last updated: March 19, 2026, Published date: March 19, 2026

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Reviewer

Kaye SmithPhD

Dr. Smith is a behavioral health coach, clinician, writer, and educator with over 15 years of experience in psychotherapy, coaching, teaching, and writing.

Activity History - Medically reviewed on April 5, 2026 and last checked on March 19, 2026