What are the most common side effects of sertraline?

The most common side effects of sertraline are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

The most common side effects of sertraline in children or adolescents include the following.

Unusual increase in muscle movements or agitation

Nosebleeds

Peeing more often

Aggression

Possible slower growth rate and weight change

There may be other side effects of sertraline that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at or by calling 866-234-2345.

While less common, the most serious side effects of sertraline are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Sertraline or other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of children, teenagers, or young adults in the first few months of taking the medicine or when the dose is changed. Depression or other serious mental health conditions are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. If you or your child is about to harm themselves, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

New or increased thoughts of suicide or death

Suicide attempt

New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in your mood or behavior

Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Sertraline can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

Sweating, fever, or flushing

Confusion

Feeling agitated or restless

Seeing or hearing unusual things

Dizziness

Fast or racing heartbeat

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor

Seizures

Severe Allergic Reactions. Sertraline may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using sertraline and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Abnormal Bleeding. People taking sertraline or other antidepressants may have an increased risk of bleeding or bruising. You may be at higher risk if you are also taking aspirin, a (NSAID), like ibuprofen or naproxen, or a such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis), or rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in how easily you bruise or bleed.

Extremely Elevated Mood (Mania). People with bipolar disorder have severe high and low moods. The first symptom of bipolar disorder may be depression. People with bipolar disorder who take an antidepressant, such as sertraline, may have a higher risk of having mania or a manic episode. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a manic episode.

Dramatic increase in energy

Significant trouble sleeping

Your thoughts are racing and fast-paced

Engaging in reckless behavior

Having unusually grand ideas

Feeling excessively happy or irritable

Talking more or faster than usual

Seizures. Some people who have taken sertraline have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking sertraline and call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements

Stiffening of your arms and legs

Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

Falling or losing consciousness

Glaucoma. Sertraline may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma.

Loss of vision

Eye pain or redness

Severe headache or vomiting

Seeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)

Low Sodium Level (Hyponatremia). Sertraline may cause low sodium levels. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low sodium level.

Heart Rhythm Changes. Sertraline may cause a rare dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take some medicines for other heart rhythm problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Sexual Problems. Taking sertraline or another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may cause sexual problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following sexual problems. 

Decreased sex drive

Delayed ejaculation or unable to have an ejaculation

Problems getting or keeping an erection

Delayed orgasm or unable to have an orgasm