Get Informed: Sertraline
Active Ingredient(s)
Sertraline
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin, an important chemical in the brain.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 6:27 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Zoloft
- Sertraline
- Lustral
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Dec 1991
- Est US Patients*
- 4,993,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Sertraline or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Sertraline Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Sertraline interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Sertraline used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 33,200 patients that use Sertraline (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | 71% | 
|
| Anxiety | 52% |
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 7% |
|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 5% | 
|
| Fibromyalgia | 3% | 
|
| Weight Loss | 2% |
|
| Other | 2% | 
|
How well does Sertraline work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 33,200 users taking Sertraline (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 85%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Sertraline outweigh the bad things.
- 6%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Sertraline.
Common Side Effects of Sertraline
iGuard regularly polls our more than 33,200 users taking Sertraline (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
33% of patients experience side-effects on Sertraline
8% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Sertraline
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
Loss of Libido
-
Dryness
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Fatigue
-
Insomnia
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Anxiety, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Excess Saliva, Grogginess/Confusion, Hair Loss, Headache, Nausea/Vomiting, Postural Hypotension, Restlessness, Swallowing Problems, Sweating, Tremor, Vision Changes
Global Patient Feedback for Sertraline ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I didn't realize that weight gain was a side effect of Zoloft. My physician didn't tell me that. But Unfortunately it has made me gain weight especially around me middle. Is there anything that can be done for that? I switched from Paxil to zoloft. Does Paxil cause weight gain too? 52 year old female
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-16 13:24:52
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Zoloft for years now and I am epileptic and I do take the Ultram and Plavix and I used to have a bleeding problem but it has stopped so it obviously wasn't from either of these medications because I still take them.
Posted: 2010-03-15 10:00:40
Question/Comment:
MY PCP PUT ME ON THE LOWEST DOSE OF LEXAPRO FOR MY ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS. IT WORKED FOR AWHILE [SAY 5-6 MOS.] AND I FELT BETTER.
THEN IT STARTED BEING LESS EFFECTIVE AND WITHIN A MONTH, I DEVELOPED BAD DREAMS & INSOMNIA & JUST FELT SAD, DEPRESSED AND ANGRY ALL THE TIME. .
MY PCP SLOWLY WEANED ME OFF IT BUT WITHIN 3 WEEKS, THE ANXIETY & PANIC EFFECTS RETURNED.
NOW SHE WANTS ME TO TAKE ZOLOFT. MY ?: I AM SENSITIVE TO MOST MEDS: IS ZOLOFT AS EASY TO DISCONTINUE IF I CANNOT TOLERATE THIS SSRI, EITHER ??
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-14 13:15:41
Question/Comment:
I have been taking this drug since 2003 and it has interfered with my menstrual cycle-I bleed every fortnight. I have breast tenderness and if I forget to take it, I feel light-headed and off balance somewhat.
I twitch only occasionally but it does'nt bother me. I get the shakes all the time, they're only mild but they really bug me. I have ground my teeth flat at the back and I have often bit my tongue when my jaws unexpectedly clamp shut. I have a mouth guard for when I am sleeping because my face hurts in the morning because I bite so hard. During the day there is no respite. I was suicidal before I took them so I can't really complain and now I'm so fat, I can't reach up to sling a rope over the rafters. Every drug I'm on helps to make me fat!
37 year old Female – Source: iGuard United Kingdom
Posted: 2010-02-26 06:51:10
Question/Comment:
am currently trying to get off zoloft, any one have any ideas or suggestions on how to ease withdrawal symptoms? i have tapered down from 75 mg to 50 mg to 25 mg then to 25 mg once every other day per my dr. request. symptoms are almost unbearable, i have aggression, irritability, breast tenderness, fatigue, electrical zaps in hands and feet and heart palpitations......
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-16 00:10:38
iGuard Answer/Reply:
These can be side effects from tapering off medications like Zoloft. You may need to try a more gradual taper. Speak with your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing and their severity. Together you can develop a more tolerable plan to wean off the Zoloft.
Posted: 2010-02-17 21:41:15
Answer/Reply:
When I went off of Zoloft the last time (I was switching to Celexa) I got EXTREMLY agitated and was very afraid to be alone with my kids. I called the doctor right away and started my zoloft again. It was then explained to me that I might be able to go off of zoloft. We did work on a complete switch to celexa, but I had to go on the highest dose. Celexa works, but not as good as Zoloft used to. I am not scared to be alone with the kids anymore. I can control my temper and crying outbursts again.
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-02 09:04:32
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
353
Patient Comments about
Sertraline