People's Pharmacy

Zoloft

Generic Name:sertraline

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Side Effects and Interactions

Side effects associated with Zoloft include nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, tremor, dizziness, insomnia, drowsiness, sweating, dry mouth and sexual difficulties (particularly ejaculation disturbances).

Other adverse reactions include agitation, loss of appetite, headache, confusion, fatigue, constipation, blurred vision and hot flushes.

A wide range of other reactions have been reported but appear to be uncommon. Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.

Zoloft may interact with a number of other medications.

Anyone taking other antidepressants, especially drugs such as Nardil, Marplan or Parnate should stop such a medicine at least two weeks before starting on Zoloft.

If Zoloft is taken first, two weeks should elapse before starting on one of these other medicines.

Zoloft can slow elimination of oral diabetes drugs. It is unclear what impact this interaction may have, but it would be wise for diabetics to monitor their blood sugar closely as they start or stop Zoloft as it may increase the potential for adverse reactions.

If a person needs both Zoloft and lithium for manic-depression, lithium blood levels should be followed carefully.

Other compounds that could cause complications in combination with Zoloft include Coumadin and possibly Lanoxin.

Interactions between the herb St. John's wort and Zoloft are possible. Switching between antidepressants and herbal treatment calls for medical guidance (physicians can find a suggested protocol for gradual substitution of St. John's wort in Hyla Cass's book, St. John's Wort: Nature's Blues Buster).

Check with your pharmacist and physician before taking any other medicines, including nonprescription drugs and herbs, in combination with Zoloft.