Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptoms & Side EffectsCoping & ReliefWarningsLong-Term TreatmentResources
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms & Side Effects
Coping & Relief
Warnings
Long-Term Treatment
Resources
Sertraline withdrawal can occur when someone abruptly stops taking their antidepressant medication. It can lead to flu-like symptoms, irritability, nausea, imbalance, strange skin sensations, headache, and insomnia.
Sertraline (Zoloft)is a commonly prescribed antidepressant. It is part of a class of drugs known asselective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat major depression, anxiety disorders,post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorders, andeating disorders.
More than half (56%) of people quitting antidepressants experience withdrawal symptoms.The experience is different for everyone. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others have symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily life.
How Long Does Sertraline Withdrawal Last?Sertraline withdrawal symptoms may persist for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after your last dose.
How Long Does Sertraline Withdrawal Last?
Sertraline withdrawal symptoms may persist for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after your last dose.
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Why Sertraline Withdrawal Happens
When you stop or reduce your dose of sertraline, these serotonin levels will drop, eventually reaching pretreatment levels. Withdrawal symptoms happen as your mind and body adapt to this change.
What to Know About Antidepressant Withdrawal
It’s important to know that discontinuing your antidepressants may lead to arelapseof your original symptoms and even to the emergence of suicidal thoughts.
Symptoms & Side Effects of Sertraline Withdrawal
The most common symptoms that develop during sertraline withdrawal include:
While these may be the most common symptoms, SSRI withdrawal affects many of the body’s systems. The full range of potential withdrawal symptoms include:
For most people, sertraline withdrawal begins within three to four days of your last dose. The duration of SSRI withdrawal can vary, but you can expect it to last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, however, sometimes it can last much longer.
Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. Some people have no symptoms at all, whereas others have symptoms severe enough to interfere with their responsibilities at home, work, or school.
Overall, research shows that roughly one half (46%) of people going through SSRI withdrawal describe their symptoms as severe.
Coping & Relief From Sertraline Withdrawal
One method that people use to quit SSRIs is a medication taper. This means gradually reducing your dose over the course of several weeks or months.
While this is an option, some doctors prefer to switch their patients to a longer-acting SSRI before beginning a taper. Because sertraline has such a short half-life, the amount of drug in your system can drop off quickly. Switching to a longer-acting SSRI, like Prozac, may help you avoid these peaks and valleys.
What to Expect When Weaning Off Zoloft
In the past, doctors weren’t sure whether tapering SSRIs was an effective treatment for withdrawal. However, new research suggests that a slow taper stretched out over the course of several months may be more effective than traditional tapering schedules.
If you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms, these remedies may help.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapycan improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help you better cope with your symptoms.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
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We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
OTC Medications
You can treat aches and flu-like symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-nausea medications.
Lifestyle
There are also steps you can take that might decrease your withdrawal symptoms, or at least make them easier to manage. These include:
Natural Remedies
Vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements may be helpful. However, you should always review all of these with your doctor before taking any natural supplements or home remedies.
Social Support
One of the most important factors in SSRI withdrawal management is the presence of a social support system. Having people around who can help and support you through a difficult time can reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can make withdrawal symptoms even worse.
When your friends and family understand that you are in withdrawal, they will be more forgiving of irritability and mood swings. By preventing interpersonal conflict at home, you will avoid some of the negative social effects of withdrawal.
Always Consult a Healthcare Provider Before Changing Your DosageAlways talk to your healthcare provider before stopping/changing your Zoloft dosage or if you’re having severe withdrawal symptoms/thoughts of suicide. There are several ways to find a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist for in-person or virtual visits (telemedicine). TheSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)has a searchabledirectoryof qualified providers. You may also call 1-800-662-HELP (4357), and a knowledgeable operator will search for you.
Always Consult a Healthcare Provider Before Changing Your Dosage
Always talk to your healthcare provider before stopping/changing your Zoloft dosage or if you’re having severe withdrawal symptoms/thoughts of suicide. There are several ways to find a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist for in-person or virtual visits (telemedicine). TheSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)has a searchabledirectoryof qualified providers. You may also call 1-800-662-HELP (4357), and a knowledgeable operator will search for you.
Sertraline, like other SSRIs, comes with awarning from the FDAabout the potential for an increase in suicidal ideation and behaviors in children and young adults, particularly when medication is initiated or dosages are changed.
Recognizing the signs of suicidal ideation in yourself or someone else can help save your life or the life of a loved one. Call for help right away if you or a loved one shows any of the following symptoms:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.988
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
988
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your obstetrician/gynecologist or psychiatrist about the risks and benefits of continuing and discontinuing sertraline. There is a small risk of giving birth too early if you take antidepressants during your second and third trimesters. On the other hand, if you do discontinue sertraline while you’re pregnant, you are more likely to relapse.
Long-Term Treatment for Sertraline Withdrawal
You may require additional treatment after the withdrawal period has ended. If you are still experiencing mental illness such as depression or anxiety, you may require continued care. About 50% of people who recover from depression experience another depressive episode in their lifetimes.
Some people stay on antidepressants indefinitely to prevent such an outcome, whereas others choose different modalities of treatment, such as psychotherapy. Researchers have found that psychotherapy reduces the risk of relapse in people discontinuing antidepressants.
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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will connect you with staff or volunteers at a crisis center near you. The people on the other end of the line can help you calm down and figure out what to do next. It is available 24/7, 365 days per year. If you are hesitant to call, you may prefer to chat with a counselor. Thechat servicesare also open 24/7.
If you have health insurance, you can also search the company’s list of local providers who accept your insurance. Most insurance companies have at least some mental health coverage, including state and federal plans.
A Word From Verywell
Sertraline withdrawal symptoms are real, and discontinuing this medicine is a real challenge for lots of people. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor or other members of your support system about the way it’s affecting your life. And remember: Withdrawal symptoms are only temporary.
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Association of Mental Illness.Sertraline (Zoloft).
Davies J, Read J.A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects: Are guidelines evidence-based?.Addict Behav.2019;97:111-121. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.027
Fava GA, Gatti A, Belaise C, Guidi J, Offidani E.Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: a systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84(2):72-81. doi:10.1159/000370338
Horowitz MA, Taylor D.Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(6):538-546. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30032-X
Burcusa SL, Iacono WG.Risk for recurrence in depression.Clin Psychol Rev. 2007;27(8):959–985. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2007.02.005
Harvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.
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