Like all medicines, sertraline can cause side effects in some people.
It's common to feel sick (nausea) or have a headache. But these side effects are usually mild. They usually go away after a few weeks, as your body gets used to the medicine
Talk to your GP if side effects bother you - a lower dose may help reduce your symptoms.
Common side effects
There are things you can do to manage common side effects:
Feeling sick (nausea)
Try taking your tablets with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you do not eat rich or spicy food.
Headache
Make sure you rest and drink fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol.
Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your GP if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Difficulty sleeping
Try taking sertraline first thing in the morning.
Feeling sleepy
Take sertraline in the evening and cut down the amount of alcohol you drink. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you're feeling sleepy. If this does not help, talk to your GP.
Dry mouth
Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Feeling dizzy
Stop what you're doing. Sit or lie down until you feel better.
Do not drive or use tools or machinery until your dizziness has gone.
Feeling tired or weak
Stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired. Do not drink alcohol as it will make you feel worse.
Another common side effect in men can be problems ejaculating. Talk to your GP if this or any other side effects bother you or do not go away.
See the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of side effects.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA): report an issue - hpra.ie
Weight loss or gain and sertraline
Sertraline can make you feel more or less hungry than usual, so you may lose or gain weight when you start taking it.
Talk to your GP or pharmacist if you start to have problems with your weight while taking sertraline.
Sex and sertraline
Sertraline may improve your sex life. This might happen as you become interested in life again.
Negative effects may include:
- men getting painful erections, problems with getting an erection and problems with ejaculating
- women having some vaginal bleeding and not reaching orgasm the same as before
- a lower sex drive
Sexual side effects should pass after the first couple of weeks.
Talk to your GP about treatment options if sexual side effects do not stop and this is a problem for you.
Serious side-effects
Emergency action required: Go to your nearest ED or tell your GP immediately if you:
- have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life
- have fits (seizures)
- have feelings of euphoria, excessive enthusiasm or excitement, or a feeling of restlessness
- have yellow skin or eyes
- get a severe skin rash that causes blistering, particularly on the mouth and tongue
- feel agitated, confused, have diarrhoea, a high temperature, high blood pressure, excessive sweating and a rapid heartbeat – these are symptoms of serotonin syndrome
- have a manic episode
Serious allergic reactions
Sertraline can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in rare cases.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go to your nearest ED if you:
- get a rash that is itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling
- are wheezing
- get tightness in your chest or throat
- have trouble breathing or talking
- mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling