I have been taking 50mg of sertraline for anxiety for 16 days and the side effects are still really bad. Sweating, hot flushes, headaches, nausea, waves of anxiety and panic, running to the loo and generally feeling awful. The doctor doesn't know if this will settle or if I have Serotonin Toxicity so they are unsure if to take me off them. It seems a shame to be three weeks in and to have to now try something new. I have never felt so bad. Has anyone had a similar experience??
Sertraline - How long do the side effects last?
Question posted by Joanne888 on 18 Oct 2014
Last updated on 26 November 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
42 Answers Page 3
Ellseddon
13 Nov 2017
Hi, I just took my first tablet of sertraline ye
sterday, 50mg! I have felt nauseous, light headed, jaw has been almost like it's burning and just feel generally out of it!
Think they're all normal symptoms (hopefully) and I'm gonna stick at it and hope for the best:)
daisyzzz
9 Nov 2017
Hi, yes l had the same experience. I actually came off of Straline, as l just couldn’t cope with how l was feeling. I know that the side effects are dreadful, and my understanding is it can sometimes take months for these to subside. I also understand though, that, if you can get through this period, thay work incredibly well. I personally couldn’t though, as l actually felt as though l had completely lost a sense of reality. I don’t regret coming off them at all, and believe they were toxic for me, as lm incredibly sensitive to any medication. Make sure if you do decide to stop, don’t just stop, as the side effects of not taking them, can be just as disturbing. I feel very strongly that unless you experience the side affects of any medication, how can any one possibly know what it’s like.
I’m a great believer in medication, yet sometimes, l feel Doctors really have no clue as to the extreme fear, disorientation, and debilitating feelings one has while taking some medication. Its ok for them to say, yes carry on. they aren’t in your body or mind actually experiencing the dreadful feelings. I hope everything turns out ok for you, whatever you decide to do?
Lindsaybirk
15 Nov 2017
How are you now Daisyzzz?
Keepstrong2
9 Nov 2017
i suffer with anxiety and panic for years on and off. i was recently on setralin was absolutely awful tried for over 6weeks but the anxiety was unbearable. was put on fluoxetin felt so much better but unfortunately the nausea wouldnt pass. now on a snri fingers crossed. this has been going on since june so you are not alone i dont think it is worth taking if the symptoms are worse or the same for what you are being treated for. keep on at your docs cos there is a lot of treatments we just got to find what is agreeable to us. hang in there i.know how desperate you feel but be strong and as positive as you can be good lucjk tc jean x
Darren1970
9 Nov 2017
I;m 3 day into the Sertraline treatment and i feel blummin awful. I have beta blockers which seem to be helping and I know these side effects are a step backwards to take a step forward, but I have never felt so hopeless...
Joanne888
1 Nov 2017
Hi all. I know it has been a long time since I posted this question but here is just an update
My doctor persuaded me to stay on this medication for a lot longer than I wanted for my body to get use to it (nearly 5 months). It didn't get much better. I was told to wean off them over a week. I ignored this advise and weaned off over 2 months (also taking benadryl to trick the body into thinking I was still taking it) . After coming off them and just using beta blockers when required I feel so much better. I still have a few panic attacks but nothing like when I was on this medication. It does suit most people but I wasn't one of them. Hope this helps and good luck x
Joycecombs
4 Oct 2017
I had to call my dr.about my zoloft (sertraline hcl) 25mg. After 2 to 3 weeks started having heart racing and had a terrible panic attack yesterday. Shaking also. He told me to either break in half and take half for a week and stop or just stop taking them all together now. I want this medicine out of my system.
WildcatVet
4 Oct 2017
You should always taper your dose if you decide to quit. By stopping abruptly you risk rebound effects and discontinuation symptoms.
Lindsaybirk
14 Nov 2017
How are you doing now? Did you stop taking it?
NatashaH80
21 Dec 2017
I have been on ZOLOFT 100mg daily for about 5 weeks, the nausea, headaches, insomnia, dizziness , no appetite, diarrhea daily has still not subsided. I feel worse now before I started the medication. I also take Valium 10mg for Vertigo. I’m really wanting to stop. Could I go down to 50 mg daily and finally get off the meds? How long you think I should do that. This is my first antidepressant I’ve taken
Irishgirl17
5 Sep 2017
I am on end of week 3 of Serlan 50mg and I now feel absolutely horrific :( 1st 2 weeks were fine ! This week however I am sweating constantly,,, nauseous, tired, anxious, having palpatations, can't face food/smells ... please tell me somebody else has experienced this ??? I thought 3 weeks in my body would be settled !
Kaylamy
6 Sep 2017
Am like this it's driving me insane
Susanking
20 Jan 2019
I'm also on week 3 headaches can't settle can't eat and diarrhoea it's bloody awful fed up now
Staypostive
12 May 2017
I'm going through the same thing right now, I see you posted this along time ago though...
Keepstrong2
4 Aug 2017
Hi i am nearly at week 3 no energy anxious and generally feel i want to get off these but have to persevere and hope a light at end of this tunnel. Dr gave me 50mg setraline 5mg valium at night and ritrovil drops for the day to help with anxiety as he said setraline not doing its job yet takes time. Hope things are better for you now please let me know as your post was may x
missiea77
18 Aug 2017
I was on Zoloft almost ten years ago and worked wonders, lately I have been going through some stressful situations and the dr put me back on it. the first day was fuzzy shaky, 2nd day thought i was losing my mind anxiety attack all day, felt like my legs were going to kick out from under me and nauseaus, that was 25mg, so today I decided to only take half and the same thing is happening to me. Not sure if i am going to continue this.
Lindsaybirk
1 Nov 2017
Did you get off of the Zoloft? I took one 50 mg tablet almost 3 days ago but refused to take anymore as it made me lose my appetite completely and I’ve had constant panic attacks and I am waiting for all of this to subside. Xanax helps me sleep but I still feel anxious
melody1
17 Aug 2015
Hi I had a serious allergic reaction to Sertraline the GP's were absolutely appaling did not have a clue so got sorted by talking to paramedic on 111 out of hrs service. I have found beta blockers the best thing yet.
shady_made_me
16 Aug 2015
Hi there :) I'm three weeks in and also suffering from these side effects. They only started in last few days though. Was wondering if you got through it?
daisyzzz
12 June 2015
I have been on 25mg of sertraline for 7 days. The side effects have been awful as it has felt like both my mind and body are out of control. I have been told l am hyper sensitive to medication. Luckily these feelings haven't been continuous so l have had periods of calm. I have been back to see my doctor who initially prescribed beta blockers, which again gave me awful side effects. He has now prescribed 2mg of diazepam when required, this is the lowest dose and only for two weeks. This has definitely helped the extreme anxiety. I really thought l was going mad yesterday but with persuasion l kept on them. I do feel much better today, fingers crossed, and feel l may be through the worst. My doctor has however told me that he will leave me on 25mg for at least 3 weeks due to my medication sensitivity.lf as me trolled the internet looking for help and reassurance that your not losing your mind.
Your not it may feel like you are but if you can stick with the medication please do as l do feel much calmer presently.
just one thing, l live alone and if you are in the same postion please ask friends to be available in the night for a phone call as that feeling other people were alive and sane helped me enormously, even though l never phoned them. If you don't have friends that are able to do that. The samaritans or a mental health line are also brilliant. I know its still very early day's but l thought it important to say that there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
Ladybirdkaduck
23 Sep 2015
I've been taking seratline for two days now mine is 50mg the first day the nausea was awful second day it i still had but I'm still unsure whether to carry on taking it as I've lost my appetite and still feel sicking I also take esomeprazole as well which the doctor said was okay to take.
virgie1211
14 July 2018
daisy thank you for information about hot line. I’m thankful that I live with my parents & my mom has been so supportive. But yes have someone always there to be with you in supporting you at all times!
Julianna5
6 Oct 2018
Hi there, hopefully I can be of some of help. I’ve been on Zoloft now for about a month. Started at 25mg and currently get prescribed 100mg a day. The first week everything went pretty well, I noticed a difference in how I was feeling but was still very anxious. On my follow up we decided to up my dose to 50mg. I felt that was a good decision. I was still struggling to sleep so my doctor prescribed me Vistra ( basically Benadryl) for at night. I saw her two weeks later and mentioned I was still having anxiety attacks about twice a week so she decided to double my dose up 100mg but when I got home I decided against. I didn’t mention to her that I stayed on 50mg. I have a follow up in about 10 days. I’ve been experiencing hot flashes quite often throughout my days and migraines. It’s definitely something I wanna bring up to my doctor because that could also be from poor eating habits. I don’t think Zoloft is a bad option..
I’ve tried it about 8 years ago and it was the right medication for me at the time.. but this time around it seems to have really taken the edge off.
BuzzLightyear71
10 Nov 2021
Like you I'm very sensitive to meds and have been put on 25mg too. It's day 9 and I'm not sure it's helping yet. Anxiety in the morning has increased, it's awful. I can't go back to sleep due to horrible adrenaline spikes reawakening me. Hope when they up me to 50mg (after 14 days) I feel a difference although very anxious about doing so incase the side effects are worse. Could do with any reassurance right now.
balbanese
20 Oct 2014
I'd say 21 days is usually enough time for this to settle down, if not I'd agree a change is in order, be sure they take the time, 7-10 days to get this out of your system before starting something else. What you report the Dr is saying is a bit concerning, sounds a bit "lost."
pteri
8 Nov 2014
If ask the Dr for anti anxiety medication to help get you through this, it is a godsend while waiting for the Zoloft to kick in. I had a dr who would change my meds every few weeks and that was not enough time. Sometimes Dr s don't know what's best for you, stick it out. Many other antidepressants caused me incredibly weight gain, I always go back to Zoloft (sertraline)
melody1
17 Feb 2015
Hi does anyone have a problem with their breathing and hot flushes and feeling sick and bad flatulence due to sertraline my GP is being hopeless also has anyone had back pain many thanks
Related topics
hyperhidrosis, headache, anxiety, panic disorder, nausea/vomiting, hot flashes, sertraline, side effect
Further information
- Sertraline uses and safety info
- Sertraline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Sertraline (detailed)
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