Zoloft Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with
Zoloft® (
sertraline hydrochloride); however, not everyone who takes Zoloft will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Zoloft well. When Zoloft side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Zoloft. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Zoloft side effects with you.)
Common Zoloft Side Effects
Zoloft has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine.
This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of Zoloft included:
- Nausea -- reported in up to 30 percent of people
- Insomnia -- reported in up to 28 percent of people (see Zoloft and Insomnia)
- Ejaculation problems -- reported in up to 19 percent of people (see Zoloft Sexual Side Effects)
- Diarrhea or loose stools -- reported in up to 24 percent of people
- Dizziness -- reported in up to 17 percent of people
- Dry mouth -- reported in up to 16 percent of people (see Zoloft and Dry Mouth)
- Fatigue -- reported in up to 16 percent of people
- Drowsiness -- reported in up to 15 percent of people
- Indigestion -- reported in up to 13 percent of people
- Shakiness (tremor) -- reported in up to 11 percent of people
- Loss of appetite -- reported in up to 11 percent of people
- Decreased sex drive (libido) -- reported in up to 11 percent of people.
Other common Zoloft side effects that occurred in more than 2 percent of patients were:
