Zoloft and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2021

For Panic Disorder "This past year, I would get panic attacks that would lead to anxiety. The sensations and feelings would last a day or two and would go away (happened three different times). Then in early October, it happened and didn't go away. My doctor prescribed me 50 mg of Zoloft (once a day) and the lowest dose of Xanax (as needed). The first week of Zoloft was a nightmare. The anxiety was at an all-time high, no appetite, dry mouth, diarrhea, and couldn't sleep. The Xanax was able to take the edge off a little bit. If I didn't have the Xanax, I probably would have stopped taking the Zoloft. After 10 days, things became a little less intense. I was able to eat, anxiety was still present but at a much lower level, and stomach issues were no longer. About 5-6 weeks later, I noticed that I am back to almost 100% anxiety-free. It comes and goes, but it is a lot easier to deal with it. Not constantly stressing. It was worth it. Don't give up. Therapy also helped me!"

• Coo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 21, 2019

For Depression "I have been on Zoloft for more than 20 years. Over the last 6-8 months, I have had increased side effects: diarrhea, loss of appetite, not sleeping, sleeping too much, just laying around waiting for the next trip to the bathroom. I had blood work, colonoscopy, endoscopy, you name it. Nothing! I read up on Zoloft side effects. Bingo! I started tapering off. Already, all of my symptoms are improving. It's been only three days. Depression is the same."

• loo...
• December 24, 2009

For Depression "I started taking Zoloft about 1 month ago for depression. I take it in the morning. Right now, the side effects outweigh the benefits. I, too, have the shakes, some sexual side effects, and loss of appetite. I'm feeling a bit more anxiety and excessive yawning. The worst of it has been the problems with my lower GI (diarrhea). My doctor wants me to try and wait it out. He seems to think the side effects will subside. I'm reading positive things here. I'll stick it out and see if things improve for me."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2012

For Depression "Been on Zoloft 25mg a week. It killed my depression (almost) and my anxiety. I've been an opiate addict for 6 yrs and only quit 1 week ago. I can't believe I have no interest in painkillers all of a sudden. Several side effects occurred the first 4 days: insomnia, migraines, diarrhea. It's impressive now though."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2011

For Depression "Since puberty, I had been diagnosed with everything under the sun except for what I really suffered, and I have taken so many different medications the names have become a blur. Finally, I was diagnosed at 34 with bipolar disorder type 1 compounded by bouts of clinical depression. I was given Trazodone, but couldn't take the vivid nightmares. Depakote, which gave me migraines. Finally, I found a good therapist who got me on Zoloft. It took a good 4 to 6 weeks for it to accumulate in my system, and I did have the runs for the first couple of weeks, but it made a huge difference in my life. Just the thought of some doctor taking me off Zoloft makes me panic. I never want to go back to my life before Zoloft."

• Awf...
• October 31, 2016

For Depression "I took this medication for only 3 days, and I experienced extreme tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, and even experienced a seizure after the second day. I have been very sick and always tired feeling. I definitely don't recommend this, also, my anxiety got worse, not better."

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I have only been taking Zoloft for 5 days. Have not been as anxious or worried the past couple of days. I do take it in the morning, so I do not have trouble sleeping. I do find that if I am tired during the day and want to take a nap, I can't sleep. The only other side effects so far are constant stomach upset and occasional diarrhea. Hopefully, these will subside, if not, I may have to switch to a different medicine. Hopefully, there will be no weight gain, as that would not be good."

• Pp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2023

For Postpartum Depression "After suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme nausea for a number of days, I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with postpartum depression. I was prescribed 25 mg of sertraline, and today, six months later, I'm on 200 mg and finally feel like myself. Within three months of taking it, I felt 50-60% like myself, with less severe symptoms, and my ability to manage anxiety and fear improved. I'm still taking a sedative, which helps me get through the harder days. I had some side effects with each increase, but I was happy to know it was doing something, and nothing felt worse than what I already was going through."

• Pac...
• May 9, 2017

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I'm a combat veteran with PTSD. My dose was 25 mg daily for 2 weeks, then 50 mg daily. I started out with severe headaches and diarrhea for the first 2 weeks. After that, the headaches went away. However, I started vomiting every night and morning. Not just minor vomiting, but exorcist-looking vomiting. Sometimes about a gallon. I would fill up my toilet pretty well. The diarrhea never went away. I was constantly dehydrated. After a few months, I couldn't take the side effects. Tapering off made my PTSD 1000% worse. I would have been better off not taking it at all. Before you start SSRIs, look up other people's horror stories. These things are worse than hardcore illegal drugs."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2012

For Depression "I've been taking Zoloft for 3 days on a doctor's recommendation and don't notice any of the benefits yet. I have felt a whole bunch of side effects including nausea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, and diarrhea. I'll be seeing the doctor in two days, and from what I understand, these side effects should decrease over time."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2015

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I've recently started taking Zoloft 25 mg for my anxiety and panic attacks. I've suffered from anxiety since 10th grade in high school, and I am now 21. I've tried many other anxiety meds, and they made it worse. I found Ativan helped me the most, however, my doctor doesn't want me to have it because it is addictive, and she wants me on something every day. So, I've been on Zoloft for 4 days now. I know it takes 2-4 weeks or more for me to be able to feel the full effects. I am experiencing nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, hot flashes, and being kind of out of it. I know these side effects will eventually go away, but my worry is how long? I already suffer from other stomach/digestion issues, and it makes it hard."

• Cor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I just got off of Paxil, and they switched me to Zoloft… I’m taking half of 100 mg, so 50 mg for 7 days, then once that’s done, I’ll take 100, but I’m telling you my anxiety is so bad right now. I’m shaky, panicking all the time, tired, heart racing. I feel so agitated, like my emotions are all over the place. I feel sick to my stomach, constantly have diarrhea. Is this normal? I told my doctor, and they won’t take me off of it. I don't like this, my anxiety is horrible right now, and I think I’m having panic attacks. I just want to know if this is normal and will it subside because my doctor wants me to stay on it."

• Pee...
• May 2, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "In a desperate effort to get help for my anxiety, depression, and PMDD symptoms, I turned to Zoloft. I was happy with it at first, as I did feel better. I was very tired, however. A happy zombie, really, with poor concentration and memory and a huge appetite. But after a few months, the effects started to wear off. My Dr. increased my dose steadily, and with that, my weight increased rapidly. Other side effects were uncontrollable diarrhea and TMJ. I discontinued the medication, and after 9 months on it, I was left with a 17-pound weight gain, mostly in my belly and back/upper sides. The other side effects are over, and I didn't have many withdrawal symptoms. After 2 months, my appetite and energy are back to normal, but I've not lost a pound yet."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Zoloft did not go well for me. I was taking 25 mg for only two days and couldn't keep going due to side effects. The side effects started with extreme nausea on day one, then diarrhea, heart racing. Day two was horrific, I fell asleep and woke up with heart racing, sweating, shaking, and dry heaving. I considered going to the hospital. I took a Xanax and a shower, and luckily it calmed down. I only had that one episode but continued to have the extreme nausea and heart racing into day three. I stopped taking it after the second dose, and the nausea has gone down significantly and I could eat a little. Definitely couldn't brave through the side effects. It truly scared me."

• Drb...
• November 7, 2022

For Depression "I had minor to moderate depression, so my doctor prescribed Zoloft. My depression is under control, but I have been experiencing severe diarrhea since starting the drug (4+ months) and am losing weight like crazy. How long will symptoms persist when I stop taking it?"

• Sha...
• August 7, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm only on my 7th day taking Zoloft (25 mg), and I do feel less anxious at times, but the first day I took it, I ended up having a panic attack that led to an ER trip because I thought it was a heart attack. 2nd day, I had an icy/hot feeling and still do. 3rd day, had bouts of diarrhea. Anyways, don't let these put you off as medicine works differently for everyone. My grandma takes it for depression and had no side effects, NOT FAIR! But to me, it seems like I'm getting all the side effects, haha. Zaps here lately, really annoying, almost lead to a panic attack, but I let myself know it's just the Zoloft/Anxiety. Also seems to be moving my legs more while sitting and grinding my teeth, which I never did before."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2010

For Depression "I have been using Zoloft for about 9 years now. I've tried most antidepressants since I was about 21. I'm 37 now. I wouldn't recommend Zoloft to those under 25, as it worked better for me in my late 20s. It doesn't cause weight gain, which is good. I don't have much of an appetite, so I have small amounts of food which satisfy me. At the start, I got the normal side effects: diarrhea, agitation, sweating, etc., but it tends to get better over the years. My worst time for depression was a week before my period, so I just take a higher dose, and it helps me a lot. A friend of mine has started Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine), and she says it's fantastic. So much more energy, which I'm after, as Zoloft doesn't give me much energy at all."

• Rya...
• October 29, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "This did help me with depression a few years ago, but my doctor tried to put me back on it for anxiety this time, and I immediately felt the side effects that I really didn't pinpoint to this at the time, but after just two doses this time around, they were EXACTLY as I remembered: diarrhea and an inability to relax. The diarrhea was horrible, when I would eat out, I would have to be by a bathroom. I found myself looking around for a restroom. I thought it was me, but I now know it was, in fact, the Zoloft. Put me in some very embarrassing situations, and it kept me from eating out. The inability to relax was quite bad, felt depressed. Thinking back, I just hate that I had to take this medicine. I should have taken it for a few months, not a year."

• Kas...
• July 3, 2021

For Social Anxiety Disorder "The day after I heard my mom has a year to live, I had a panic attack/fainting episode. I told my doctor how I think my stress and anxiety are the reason I fainted and was prescribed 50 mg sertraline. My side effects were awful! Increased anxiety, excessive sweating in hands and feet, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, and overall panic. I missed 2 days of work and wondered each day if it would be the day I'd start to feel better. I cut my pills in half after 5 days. I've been taking 25 mg for 2 weeks. Lowering my dose helped the side effects subside. There are still times when the uneasy feeling comes over me then passes. I feel happier and more relaxed, but I know it takes longer for it to kick in. I'm afraid of gaining weight on it because I've already gained 25 lbs in the past 2 years. I've always been a small girl, so I'm struggling with my body image. I've also noticed a difficulty being able to finish in the bedroom. Hopefully, the benefits of this drug outweigh the side effects."

• Tam...
• January 23, 2010

For Panic Disorder "I decided to go back on sertraline (Zoloft) 50 mg after experiencing anxiety and depression. I have started on it, and 2 days into it, I am feeling sick. I lost so much weight. It also made me tremble and get chills. I have diarrhea and vomiting."

• win...
• August 11, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I'm a 29-year-old female. I've been suffering from horrible social anxiety disorder and panic attacks for over 2 years. I've been on Zoloft (technically sertraline since I'm on the generic version) for 4 months. The first 2-3 weeks I started with 25 mg, and I had mild side effects like diarrhea and dizziness. I also spaced out a lot. After the 3-week mark, the side effects started to go away, and I felt so much better than I ever had in years. I had little to no social anxiety anymore and almost felt like I had my life back. After 2 months, I felt I plateaued. I started getting the anxiety/panicky feelings back. So I upped my dosage to 50 mg. For now, it is still doing the trick, but it's nowhere near what it was in the beginning."

• min...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2020

For Depression "I used this for over a year, and it seemed like it was actually working at first, but then I just ended up flatlining. I still relapsed twice while I was on it as well, it honestly did nothing for me. On top of that, the side effects I had while transitioning onto it were absolutely terrible. I threw up so much and had diarrhea. On top of that, I just generally felt awful for about a week. I'm finally switching to Lexapro today, so I'm really hoping for better."

• Amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2021

For Panic Disorder "Review number 2: Has been about 7 weeks now on Zoloft, 5 days on 100 mg dosage. Still having diarrhea and small symptoms of panic, but not full-blown attacks. It's all around my COVID vaccination. I got my 2nd jab 5 days ago. Seeing a psych next week, cannot wait. I think it's all in my head, all the bad media around the vax. Can't wait to get over this stage of my life. Feeling a little depressed about these side effects, but side effects nothing like when I first started Zoloft. It's manageable, but I do have my bad days. Take it easy and take care of yourself, you need it ❤️"

• Ano...
• February 12, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I'm on day 11 of taking Zoloft 25 mg. Thus far, I hate this drug. Put on it for anxiety and panic attacks. Doc wouldn't prescribe Xanax as I have an addictive personality, so wanted to avoid benzos altogether. I've experienced all the side effects of this drug within the first three days: headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, and anxiety seems worse than before I was put on this. I keep reading that it takes four to six weeks for the drug to take effect and that it gets worse before it gets better. Is this true? I'm supposed to try to stay on it a full month and go from there. I'm 41 and female. And thus far, I hate this drug."

• Dgi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took Zoloft for almost 3 months. Whether it worked or not didn't matter, as after I ate, within 10-30 minutes, I had diarrhea, flushing my meal right out of me. No nutrients equals no strength and weakness. Couldn't live like that, so weaned off of it."