What are the side effects of Zoloft (sertraline)?

Commonly reported side effects of Zoloft (sertraline) include: aches, acid reflux, acne on chin and jaw, acute worsening of anxiety, agitation, agoraphobia worsening, air hunger, akathesia, among other things, anhedonia, anorexia, anxiety, anxiety behind ears upon discontinuation, anxiety in waves, anxiety relapse, anxiety spike, anxiety upon initial dosing, apathy, appetite changes, appetite loss, arm numbness, beer belly appearance, being on edge, blunting of emotional highs and lows, blurry vision, body burning, body spasms, bowel changes, brain fog, brain zaps, breathing difficulties, burning brain sensation, burning sensations, catastrophic thoughts, central nervous system dysfunction, chest aches, chest pain, chronic depression, colitis, complete loss of sexual desire, confusion upon waking, decreased appetite, delayed orgasm, depersonalization, depression, depressive thoughts, derealization, detachment, detachment from reality, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, dissociation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, electric. This treatment also carries an FDA black box warning.

How long does Zoloft (sertraline) take to work?

Zoloft (sertraline) typically shows results in 2 weeks, though individual responses vary.

Is Zoloft (sertraline) safe for long-term use?

Long-term use data for Zoloft (sertraline) is not currently available. Consult your healthcare provider.

anxiety Treatment Guide

Does Zoloft (sertraline) work for anxiety?

Q: Does Zoloft (sertraline) work for anxiety?

Research data on Zoloft (sertraline) for anxiety is currently limited.

Here's what research and real users report about Zoloft for anxiety.

Research

No data

Social

64 / 100

280 posts

Safety

30 / 100

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Zoloft (sertraline) — treatment for anxiety

How does Zoloft (sertraline) help anxiety?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that increases serotonin availability in the brain to reduce anxiety symptoms.

Efficacy: Research vs. Real Users

Real User Reports

64 / 100

Moderate

280 posts

Self-reported results can be biased. Use as context, not proof.

How It Works

Administration Oral, Daily
Time to work 2 weeks

Safety Profile

⚠ FDA Black Box Warning

This treatment carries an FDA black box warning — the most serious type of safety alert. Consult your doctor before use.

/ 100

Safety Score: Mixed

Higher scores indicate a more favorable safety profile.

Known Side Effects

aches
acid reflux
acne on chin and jaw
acute worsening of anxiety
agitation
agoraphobia worsening
air hunger
akathesia
among other things
anhedonia
anorexia
anxiety
anxiety behind ears upon discontinuation
anxiety in waves
anxiety relapse
anxiety spike
anxiety upon initial dosing
apathy
appetite changes
appetite loss
arm numbness
beer belly appearance
being on edge
blunting of emotional highs and lows
blurry vision
body burning
body spasms
bowel changes
brain fog
brain zaps
breathing difficulties
burning brain sensation
burning sensations
catastrophic thoughts
central nervous system dysfunction
chest aches
chest pain
chronic depression
colitis
complete loss of sexual desire
confusion upon waking
decreased appetite
delayed orgasm
depersonalization
depression
depressive thoughts
derealization
detachment
detachment from reality
diarrhea
difficulty breathing
difficulty concentrating
dissociation
dizziness
drowsiness
dry mouth
electric

Who Should Consider Zoloft (sertraline)?

Severity Mild,moderate,severe
Category Non-steroid Prescription Medication

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zoloft (sertraline) work for anxiety?: Clinical research data on Zoloft for anxiety is currently limited. Individual results may vary.
What are the side effects of Zoloft (sertraline)?: Commonly reported side effects include: aches, acid reflux, acne on chin and jaw, acute worsening of anxiety, agitation, agoraphobia worsening, air hunger, akathesia, among other things, anhedonia, anorexia, anxiety, anxiety behind ears upon discontinuation, anxiety in waves, anxiety relapse, anxiety spike, anxiety upon initial dosing, apathy, appetite changes, appetite loss, arm numbness, beer belly appearance, being on edge, blunting of emotional highs and lows, blurry vision, body burning, body spasms, bowel changes, brain fog, brain zaps, breathing difficulties, burning brain sensation, burning sensations, catastrophic thoughts, central nervous system dysfunction, chest aches, chest pain, chronic depression, colitis, complete loss of sexual desire, confusion upon waking, decreased appetite, delayed orgasm, depersonalization, depression, depressive thoughts, derealization, detachment, detachment from reality, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, dissociation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, electric. This treatment also carries an FDA black box warning.
How long does Zoloft (sertraline) take to work?: Zoloft typically shows results in 2 weeks, though individual responses vary. Tracking your symptoms with a structured experiment can help you know sooner.
Is Zoloft (sertraline) safe for long-term use?: Long-term safety data for Zoloft is not available. Consult your healthcare provider.
How do you use Zoloft (sertraline)?: Zoloft is administered oral, Daily.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment. Scores are derived from publicly available research and social media data and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance.