Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant that can cause diarrhea. If symptoms of diarrhea worsen or persist longer than a few weeks, talk with a healthcare professional.
Healthcare professionals may prescribe Zoloft to treat several mental health conditions. This drug belongs to the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work to increase the amount of serotonin that is available in your brain.
In this article, we explain why you may experience diarrhea during treatment with Zoloft. We also discuss what to do if the diarrhea does not go away.
Like all medications, Zoloft comes with a risk of side effects. According to clinical trials, diarrhea is among the most common side effects of Zoloft. It is one of the most likely causes for discontinuation of treatment with Zoloft, second only to nausea.
According to clinical trials, 20% of people taking the medication experience diarrhea or loose stools.
The active drug in Zoloft, sertraline, is the most effective type of SSRI. Studies show that it is up to 10 times stronger than other antidepressant drugs at inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in vitro. (An “in vitro” test refers to a test performed outside of a living organism, usually in a glass or petri dish.) Zoloft may be the most effective medication for increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain.
Researchers believe that these strong changes in serotonin levels within your brain make sertraline the most likely SSRI causing the digestive side effects.
In some cases, diarrhea during treatment with Zoloft may indicate a more serious side effect of Zoloft called serotonin syndrome (SS). SS is a condition that develops in response to excess serotonin in your body, often from an overdose of SSRI medication such as Zoloft. Symptoms of SS range in severity and may include:
- dilated pupils
- dry mouth
- agitation, anxiety and confusion
If you experience a new onset or worsening of symptoms after taking Zoloft, contact your doctor.
Note:
Doctors may prescribe Zoloft to help treat postpartum depression. If you decide to take Zoloft while breastfeeding, it is important to attend regular checkups with a doctor. While rare, sertraline
Everyone experiences side effects from medication differently. However, the initial side effects of starting Zoloft treatment typically last a few weeks. You may notice that the side effects stop once your body adjusts to Zoloft.
But if you experience diarrhea that worsens or persists for several weeks, talk with your doctor. Diarrhea that is watery and urgent may indicate microscopic colitis. Microscopic colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can develop as a side effect of Zoloft.
If you have concerns about diarrhea while taking Zoloft, talk with your doctor. They may alter your dose of Zoloft to reduce your side effects or suggest an alternative medication to try.
If you’re experiencing diarrhea from Zoloft treatment, avoid consuming food or drinks that may worsen your symptoms or aggravate your gastrointestinal (GI) system.
These may include:
- Caffeine: Caffeine may produce a laxative effect in some people. It’s possible that drinking caffeinated beverages while taking Zoloft may worsen diarrhea.
- Alcohol: Doctors recommend avoiding alcohol while taking Zoloft. While this is primarily to prevent drowsiness, alcohol can also cause discomfort in the lining of your GI tract. Therefore, consuming alcohol may worsen symptoms of diarrhea.
- High fat foods: Consuming lots of high fat foods may worsen the GI tract and cause symptoms of diarrhea. If you are experiencing diarrhea with Zoloft, try limiting fatty foods or foods that are deep-fried.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Zoloft, occurring in at least 20% of people taking the medication. While it may go away after a few weeks, it can be inconvenient.
If you experience diarrhea as a side effect of Zoloft within your first few weeks of treatment, talk with your doctor about ways to manage your symptoms.
The following medications or supplements your doctor may recommend for managing diarrhea in the short term. These include:
- Imodium (loperamide)
- Lomotil (diphenoxylate)
- probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and other strains)
Zoloft can take up to 8 weeks to show its effect. It may take some time for your body to adjust to the medication. You may notice side effects before you feel the benefits of Zoloft.
It is important to stick with your treatment and give it time to take full effect. However, side effects, including diarrhea, should begin to lessen after a few weeks.
If Zoloft diarrhea affects your daily activities, talk with your doctor. They may suggest an alternative antidepressant that is less likely to cause diarrhea.
Zoloft is an antidepressant medication that contains the active ingredient sertraline. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. It is also the most likely type of antidepressant medication to cause gastrointestinal disturbances, such as diarrhea.
Symptoms of diarrhea from Zoloft should go away within a few weeks of starting your treatment. However, if your symptoms worsen or persist, talk with your doctor. They may suggest an alternative antidepressant or a short-term treatment to manage diarrhea until your body adjusts.