I have no allergies and am middle aged. Was placed on Zoloft and after 10 days broke out into hives and a rash. Was then placed on steroids and after 3 weeks am still showing signs of allergic reactions and am still on steroids.
Food allergies and Zoloft. Has any one developed a food allergy after taking zoloft?
Question posted by mookiecat on 21 Oct 2014
Last updated on 26 June 2023 by Sarajoturtle
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10 Answers
Sarajoturtle
27 June 2023
Yes, was on it for 6 years and as soon as I got off it I developed food allergies to multiple foods, I still don't know what all my allergies are and I'm still sick all the time...
Dimitra11
3 Feb 2023
Here is my story. I will update you as things change:
TL:DR: taking antidepressants made me intolerant to many foods I used to eat.
Wellbutrin was started on Feb 21 for ADHD. No swelling.
Prozac low dose trial May 21 for PMDD with immediate weight gain with edema - discontinued.
Lexapro low does trail Jun 21 for PMDD - immediate weight gain with edema - discontinued.
Cymbalta very low dose (1/3 of 20mg) Oct 21 for PMDD - immediate weight fain with edema, but my PMDD symptoms were managed, so I am continuing to take it.
From that time on, I have steadily gained 8-10 lbs. Some days I would jump up 4 lbs more; others, I would hover at the 8lb increase mark. Some days I would have intense edema and a very swollen belly.
I went on an elimination diet (no gluten, dairy, eggs, preservatives, dyes, added sugars, soy, tree nuts, legumes, or peanuts). Results were complicated because the swelling/edema isn’t an immediate reaction to regular food allergies that result in hives, headaches, etc.
After cutting out dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, peas (and other legumes), and preservatives (mainly phosphates), I have no edema and rapidly losing weight. It is evident that after eating gluten, I had a bloated belly with weight gain. Dairy caused immediate weight gain plus constipation. Same with soy. The edema has subsided, and I suspect it’s a longer-term cumulative effect of ingesting the foods. Rapid weight gain and constipation are my first signals. (Side note: within 1 hour of eating after eggs, I experienced explosive episodes of rage within 1 hour of consuming eggs, never eating eggs again.)
I suspect that the antidepressants activated intolerances to foods I could generally eat before starting antidepressants. These foods could have been contributing to my PMDD and ADHD before, but the intolerances got worse after starting antidepressants. It’s hard to tell at this point.
I would not have made this association without performing a strict elimination diet which is hard to do without mistakes. You need to have a plan and be prepared to track changes in weight, swelling, MOOD CHANGES from certain foods, headaches, sniffles, throat clearing, etc.
Acgen
17 May 2022
I've been experiencing acute dietary sensitivities since being on a high dose of zoloft, even after quickly weaning off the medication. It has been a full year now. Has anyone else had this happen or (for those who posted it) had their sensitivities subside... or find any solutions? I know this original post is years old. I'm desperately looking for answers. Thanks so much.
mookiecat
18 May 2022
Mine have not gone away since I made the original post. I stopped testing as it was expensive and none of the allergies I had were fixable by the allergist. I just have to avoid what I’m allergic to.
Canwalt
30 Aug 2019
Yes. I developed food intolerances after developing serotonin syndrome from sertraline, during perimenopause, after taking it for 5 years. I seem to be intolerant of dairy products, refined sugar, and sugar substitutes.
Marelynn
9 Dec 2016
You are probably getting the food allergies from the steroids. I have taking a medrol dose pack, and I have also developed many foods allergies. I have never had food allergies. Did your allergies get better?
Inactive
14 Aug 2016
I have no problem with the generic for Zoloft. Perhaps you should get your
doctor to order some blood labs. I did, and discovered I have Diabetes, type 2, and a slight thyroid deficiency. Doctor put me on synthetic thyroid, ,.25mg
pill and I can now swallow any of my pills, and my food goes down really
well, nowl It's always good to have blood tests done each year. Keep up
with the results that they show, if you have them done. There could be
something else, coincidentally, giving you the allergic reactions.
Good luck.
Trish
Journey507
14 Aug 2016
My daughter is 12. When she was born we had cats and she has lived with them until our cat died last March. Our dog that lived with us for five years died last October. These animals lived inside the home.
My daughter started taking sertraline (Zoloft generic) about two to here months ago. Now she is suddenly fiercely allergic to cats and dogs. She has trouble breathing, runny nose, red itchy and watery eyes, itching... She went from zero allergies to severe. Even after taking Flonase she still had allergy symptoms when we went to a friends house that had a dog.
The only one thing different she is is taking 25 mg of sertraline. I am very concerned and the drug does not list this as one of their side effects but I have read people developing food allergies only after taking Zoloft or its generic.
If this medication caused these allergies and even after stopping it she continues with the allergies this will be very devastating for her.
mookiecat
14 Aug 2016
Follow up testing has found I'm allergic to yeast mould peppermint printers ink latex polyester and I'm sorry to say a year later and I still have these allergies. They have not improved at all. With cat and dog allergies there are shots available from an allergist that can decrease or stop the symptoms. There are no shots for the allergies I now have.
mcj500
4 May 2015
Yes, I was looking for someone else who may have allergic reactions. I have been on sertraline (generic Zoloft) for past 2 months. After 1 month of taking it, I have developed Eosinophilic Esophagitis, which is essentially an allergic reaction to foods including: milk, cheese, eggs, nuts, strawberries, wheat, seeds, and seafood and some meats. I have never had any allergies to foods and have always enjoys eating anything and everything. Now I have an extremely selective diet that is severely impacting my life. I have lost weight and have trouble swallowing every day. There is not a day that I do not have stomach, chest or throat reactions to some food or drink. I can not think of any other adjustment in my life that could have caused this reaction. There must be a correlation. Not sure what to do.
Calliecrabdall
5 April 2017
Did it get any better or end
rdelestre
22 Oct 2014
Hi;
My wife has been in Zolfot for the last year and a half with no showing of any allergic reaction.
Good look, we wish you well.
kaismama
21 Oct 2014
Why do you think it's a food allergy? You're probably allergic to the med.
mookiecat
21 Oct 2014
I have been off them now for 21 days and the symptoms have only worsened. Did find another forum where they were talking about the same things happening to them.
mcj500
8 May 2015
I know it is a food allergy because the biopsy from my endoscopy showed that I have EOE which is a serious food allergy to most foods. Furthermore, I have a reaction in my throat and/or stomach after I eat most foods. Certain foods cause a more serious reaction, nuts, milk, cheese, etc...
I do not understand how this drug could cause an allergic reaction to food for some patients. I am also curious if there is anything that I could do to cure this illness.
Related topics
zoloft, hives, allergies, allergic reactions, skin rash, steroid, food
Further information
- Zoloft uses and safety info
- Zoloft prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Zoloft (detailed)
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