In general, side effects are common with almost any medication. What’s less common are side effects that can complicate your recovery from the very condition you’re looking to treat. Case in point: medications that can cause weight gain.
Research suggests a growing number of people take drugs that cause weight gain — most notably, for conditions that are exacerbated by excess weight. Drawing on data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a recent study published in Obesity found that 1 in 5 U.S. adults take at least one medication that causes weight gain.
As side effects go, weight gain may not seem like a big deal, especially if you’re treating a life-threatening condition. But in less serious scenarios, the added weight can compromise your overall health. People with obesity are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even modest weight gain — we’re talking 5 to 20 pounds — can have negative health effects, one study shows.
What is sertraline?
Sertraline, more commonly known by the brand-name drug Zoloft is a medication used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won’t go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life).
Sertraline is also used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness. Sertraline is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
How sertraline works
Sertraline is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and works by increasing the amounts of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance. This can improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Does sertraline cause weight gain?
Yes, weight gain is a common complaint of patients taking sertraline over a long period of time. Sertraline treatment often results in a small (1% to 1.6%) increase in weight when used for between 6 months to 1 year.
Other side effects you may experience while taking sertraline include:
- nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and indigestion
- change in sleep habits, including increased sleepiness and insomnia
- increased sweating
- sexual problems, including decreased sex drive and ejaculation failure
- tremor or shaking
- tiredness and fatigue
- agitation
Additional side effects for children can include:
- abnormal increase in muscle movement or agitation
- nose bleed
- more frequent urination
- urine leakage
- aggressiveness
- heavy menstrual periods
- slowed growth rate and weight change. You should closely watch your child’s height and weight while they take this drug.
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Suicide attempts
- Acting on dangerous impulses
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Thoughts about suicide or dying
- New or worse depression
- New or worse anxiety or panic attacks
- Agitation, restlessness, anger, or irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- An increase in activity or talking more than normal
- Serotonin syndrome. This condition can be life-threatening. Symptoms can include:
- hallucinations and delusions
- agitation
- loss of consciousness
- seizures
- coma
- fast heart rate
- changes in blood pressure
- muscle tremor or stiff muscles
- dizziness
- shakiness
- sweating
- nausea
- vomiting
- muscle rigidity
- Severe allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
- trouble breathing
- swelling of your face, tongue, eyes, or mouth
- rash, itchy welts (hives) or blisters, alone or with fever or joint pain
- Abnormal bleeding
- Seizures or convulsions
- Manic episodes. Symptoms can include:
- greatly increased energy
- severe trouble sleeping
- racing thoughts
- reckless behavior
- unusually grand ideas
- excessive happiness or irritability
- talking more or faster than usual
- Changes in appetite or weight. You should check the weight and height of children and adolescents often while they take this drug.
- Low sodium levels. Seniors may be at greater risk for this. Symptoms can include:
- headache
- weakness or unsteadiness
- confusion, problems concentrating or thinking, or memory problems
- Eye pain
- Changes in vision, including blurred and double vision
- Swelling or redness in or around your eyes
Sertraline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
