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Is There a Connection between Sertraline and Nausea?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Some patients may notice a connection between sertraline and nausea, particularly when the drug is given at higher doses. This medication commonly causes nausea as a side effect, along with general gastrointestinal upset. If the side effects become severe, the patient can discuss the situation with a care provider to determine what the best option for managing the issue may be. Often, patients may benefit from a different medication or a dosage change to make the drug easier to tolerate.

Sertraline is a mood stabilizer used to treat people with depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and some anxiety disorders. It may be prescribed for other reasons as well. Patients typically start on a low dosage which increases gradually over time. The goal of tapering the dose up is to give the patient time to get accustomed to it. Slowly increasing the dose also allows the patient to find the lowest effective dose, which can limit side effects by avoiding unnecessarily high doses.

High doses of sertraline can lead to nausea.
High doses of sertraline can lead to nausea.

As many as 30% of patients in some studies reported a connection between sertraline and nausea. They experienced other symptoms of stomach upset, like diarrhea and vomiting, as well. Sometimes these symptoms may resolve as the body adjusts to the medication. In other instances, they may become more severe over time. Inability to tolerate the medication may make it hard to adhere to a dosing schedule, which could create problems for the patient.

Nausea can be a sign of sertraline withdrawal in some individuals.
Nausea can be a sign of sertraline withdrawal in some individuals.

One option for patients who have a problem with sertraline and nausea is to change the dosing schedule. It may be possible to reduce nausea by taking the medication with food, for example. For patients who have trouble eating on a schedule, a snack like a yogurt or granola bar may be enough to settle the stomach while taking a dose.

Dietary modifications may help as well, if patients notice that symptoms are particularly bad with specific foods. The link between sertraline and nausea may also be the result of a medication interaction. Changing a medication schedule or eliminating another drug or supplement, with advice from a care provider, might solve the problem.

Patients should be aware that sertraline and nausea can also be a problem during withdrawal. When patients go off the medication, they taper the dose back down to give the body time to adjust. This may be accompanied with some nausea and discomfort. The side effects should pass once the patient is completely weaned from the medication, and if they do not, they may be a sign of another medical problem. A care provider can evaluate the patient to determine if diagnostic testing or treatment is necessary.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon945937

I started taking Sertraline two months ago (150MG) after switching from Paxil. It helped the depression, but I was very nauseated for about three weeks and lost about 10 pounds (I can't afford to lose more). Last week, I had another bout of severe depression and my doctor increased me to 200MG. This is day five and each day I have gotten progressively more nauseated. I'm now flat on my back in bed. I want to try and stick it out as the medicine does work for me better than Paxil.

I'm just wondering - is it possible that the nausea will not go away this time? It seems much worse.

fBoyle

@ysmina-- My experience was the same. I had increased anxiety and nausea when I started taking sertraline. But the symptoms went away on their own after a few weeks.

I think nausea is very common with this drug but it doesn't usually last long. My doctor had warned me about the nausea when she prescribed sertraline so I knew that it wasn't going to be a permanent side effect. I suppose the medication affects some people differently though.

ysmina

@ddljohn-- I think it's time to ask your doctor to switch you to something else.

I had mild nausea when I first started sertraline and when my doctor increased my dosage, but nothing as severe as yours. I did not lose any weight because of these symptoms. I think that losing weight due to nausea means that the nausea is too severe to handle. You ought to switch to a different medication. There are many alternatives to sertraline that work just as well. You are not dependent on this medication and you don't have to suffer this way.

ddljohn

I have upset stomach and nausea since I started taking sertraline one month ago. I've lost four pounds because of these side effects. I'm not sure if it's helping my depression because I feel so sick physically.

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    • High doses of sertraline can lead to nausea.
      By: Adam Gregor
      High doses of sertraline can lead to nausea.
    • Nausea can be a sign of sertraline withdrawal in some individuals.
      By: bruno135_406
      Nausea can be a sign of sertraline withdrawal in some individuals.