Zoloft (sertraline) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. More common side effects include nausea, tremors, and sexual side effects. If side effects from Zoloft become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Zoloft is used in adults to treat:

Zoloft is also used in adults and some children to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Zoloft can cause. To learn more about Zoloft, including its uses, dosage, and cost, read this Zoloft overview.

Zoloft has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Zoloft can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult for you to tolerate.

Zoloft’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • tremors
  • decreased appetite
  • sexual side effects (see “Tips for managing side effects”) such as:
    • erectile dysfunction (problems getting or keeping an erection)
    • trouble reaching orgasm
    • decreased sex drive

Mild side effects have been reported with Zoloft. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Zoloft unless your doctor recommends it.

Zoloft may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

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Zoloft may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zoloft’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Zoloft, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section and “Boxed warnings for Zoloft” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Zoloft and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332) to speak with an FDA representative.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Zoloft can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Zoloft treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Zoloft, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Zoloft has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adults ages 24 years and younger. Note that Zoloft is not prescribed for anyone under age 6 years. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Though this side effect was rare in studies, the risk is highest in the first few months of Zoloft treatment or after a change in dosage. Due to this risk, your doctor will monitor you closely for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor right away if you feel like your condition is worsening or you have thoughts of hurting yourself. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you are hurt or need help immediately.

Help is out there

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

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • 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’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Zoloft’s side effects.

Can Zoloft cause long-term side effects?

Most Zoloft side effects resolve when they are treated or when Zoloft is stopped. Talk with your doctor if you experience side effects. They’ll decide if it’s safe for you to keep taking Zoloft or whether another treatment might be better.

Do not stop taking Zoloft without talking with your doctor first. Stopping this drug suddenly may cause side effects such as dizziness, tremor, nausea, sweating, and mood changes. Talk with your doctor about other possible side effects of stopping Zoloft.

Will I experience certain side effects of Zoloft during the first week of treatment?

You may be more likely to experience certain side effects during your first week of Zoloft treatment. This is because your body is getting used to the drug. Some common early side effects of Zoloft include headache, nausea, fatigue, and constipation.

Also, keep in mind that Zoloft can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and this risk may be higher during the first few months of treatment. Zoloft has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see “Boxed warnings for Zoloft.”

This is not a complete list of side effects, and not all people will experience these side effects. Talk with your doctor for more information.

How long does it take for side effects of Zoloft to go away?

Most Zoloft side effects should resolve quickly when they are treated or when Zoloft is stopped. Some side effects may resolve on their own as your body adjusts to the medication. Talk with your doctor about any bothersome side effects. They’ll recommend the best treatment for them.

How do side effects of Zoloft in women compare with those in men?

Although a lot of Zoloft’s side effects are similar for males and females, Zoloft’s sexual side effects may differ between males and females.

Males have an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection) and delayed ejaculation (needing more than 30 minutes of sexual stimulation to ejaculate) or failure to ejaculate. Females have an increased risk of difficulty reaching orgasm. Both males and females who take Zoloft may experience a lower sex drive.

Note: In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Does Zoloft cause weight gain?

Weight gain is not a reported side effect of Zoloft in studies. Decreased appetite is a common side effect of this drug that may lead to weight loss. But the condition you’re using Zoloft to treat may lead to weight gain. Talk with your doctor if your weight has changed while taking Zoloft.

While taking Zoloft, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects, they do not go away, or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Sexual side effects

Zoloft may cause sexual side effects, such as:

  • erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection)
  • difficulty reaching orgasm
  • decreased sex drive

These were common side effects in the drug’s studies.

What might help

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sex drive or other concerns during sex that are bothersome. They’ll help you determine whether Zoloft is the cause. If it is, they may recommend a different treatment for your condition.

Increased risk of bleeding

You may have an increased risk of bleeding if you take certain other drugs while taking Zoloft. Some of these drugs include:

Types of bleeding to tell your doctor about include:

What might help

Tell your doctor before starting or stopping any medications. They’ll monitor you closely if you’re prescribed drugs that can interact with Zoloft. And they can recommend a different treatment option if it’s not safe for you to take Zoloft.

Mania

If you have bipolar disorder and take Zoloft, you may have an increased risk of manic episodes. This was rarely reported, but that’s because people with bipolar disorder were usually not included in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms of a manic episode may include:

  • racing thoughts
  • excessive levels of excitement, activity, or happiness
  • reckless or impulsive behavior
  • extreme trouble sleeping
  • talking faster or more than usual

What might help

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms above. They’ll recommend the right treatment for you and decide whether it’s safe for you to keep taking Zoloft.

Serotonin syndrome

A rare but serious side effect reported in studies of Zoloft is serotonin syndrome. This is a condition caused by a high level of the chemical serotonin in your body. You may have an increased risk of this side effect if you take certain other medications, but it can also happen if you only take Zoloft.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:

What might help

Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above. They’ll likely have you stop taking Zoloft and treat your symptoms. They’ll also likely prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Consider the following important information before starting Zoloft.

Zoloft has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see “Boxed warnings for Zoloft.”

Other precautions

Before taking Zoloft, discuss your health history with your doctor. Zoloft may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • seizure disorder
  • bipolar disorder
  • closed-angle glaucoma
  • bleeding problems
  • liver problems
  • low sodium levels
  • heart problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

To learn more about interactions between Zoloft and alcohol or other medications, see this Zoloft interactions article.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.