What are the side effects of Zoloft?

Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, an SSRI, and its common side effects per the NHS are: nausea (sometimes vomiting), headaches, dizziness or drowsiness, dry mouth, diarrhea, problems sleeping, sexual problems like low sex drive, and weight gain. The timing matters: most of these hit hardest in the first 1 to 2 weeks and ease as your body adjusts - the NHS's phrase is a couple of weeks - so the usual advice is to ride out the early stretch rather than quit at day three. Two practical notes from the NHS: if you feel dizzy or drowsy on it, do not drive until that settles, and skip grapefruit juice entirely - it interacts with sertraline. Alcohol is best avoided too, because it can stop the medicine working properly. The side effects that mean call now: any thoughts of self-harm or worsening mood (especially in the first weeks and in people under 25), signs of serotonin syndrome - agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, muscle twitching, high temperature - and signs of an allergic reaction. Sexual side effects deserve naming out loud to your prescriber if they persist; they are common, they are not your fault, and there are fixes. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you sort a new symptom from an adjustment effect.