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Zoloft Side Effects
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By Kimberly Read & Marcia Purse, About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

This article lists Zoloft side effects. Zoloft - generic name sertraline - is an SSRI antidepressant that may be prescribed for the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Patients taking Zoloft or sertraline should be aware of the potential side effects.

Common Zoloft Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Decreased appetite or weight loss; diarrhea or loose stools; dizziness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; increased sweating; nausea; stomach or abdominal cramps, gas, or pain; tiredness or weakness; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping

Less Common Zoloft Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Agitation, anxiety, or nervousness; changes in vision, including blurred vision; constipation; flushing or redness of skin, with feeling of warmth or heat; increased appetite; vomiting

Always notify your doctor if you experience any of these Zoloft side effects:

Decreased sexual desire or ability; breast tenderness or enlargement; fast or irregular heartbeat; fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control; fever; inability to sit still; low blood sodium (confusion, convulsions [seizures], drowsiness, dryness of mouth, increased thirst, lack of energy); nose bleeds; red or purple spots on skin; restlessness; serotonin syndrome (diarrhea, fever, increased sweating, mood or behavior changes, overactive reflexes, racing heartbeat, restlessness, shivering or shaking); skin rash, hives, or itching; unusual or sudden body or facial movements or postures; unusual secretion of milk (in females)

Zoloft Withdrawal Side Effects - Notify Doctor:

Agitation; anxiety; dizziness; feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings; headache; increased sweating; nausea; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping; trouble in walking; unusual tiredness

Zoloft Overdose Effects - Notify Doctor Immediately:

May be more severe than side effects occurring at regular doses, or several may occur together:

Anxiety; drowsiness; nausea; serotonin syndrome (diarrhea, fever, increased sweating, mood or behavior changes, overactive reflexes, racing heartbeat, restlessness, shivering or shaking); unusually fast heartbeat; unusually large pupils; vomiting

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other Zoloft side effects, check with your doctor.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be all-inclusive or to replace information provided by your doctor or with the prescription from the manufacturer.

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