Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI antidepressant that can be used to treat a range of mental health conditions. It can cause several side effects, including potentially causing changes in appetite and weight. This can vary from person to person, and various strategies can be used to help manage weight during treatment.
- Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant medication approved to treat various conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and several anxiety disorders.
- Zoloft can sometimes cause changes in appetite and weight, which may result in weight gain.
- Strategies can be used to manage weight gain while on Zoloft, and alternative medications are available if necessary.
Does Zoloft cause weight gain?
In some cases, Zoloft may cause some weight gain. However, this can vary from person to person and may depend on the length of treatment.
For example, one study shows that sertraline caused weight gain of less than 1% from the start of treatment to the end of a 26-32 week treatment. [2]
Another study shows that sertraline causes around a 1% body weight increase over a 30-month treatment. When compared to similar medications, sertraline was among those that caused the lowest amount of weight gain. This study also shows that sertraline is unlikely to cause extreme weight gain of up to a 7% increase, even after 24 months of treatment. [3]
Understanding Zoloft (sertraline) and weight changes
Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant medication classed as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain, which helps to regulate mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Serotonin also impacts appetite, which means that Zoloft treatment can lead to changes in weight.
Side effects of Zoloft can include: [1]
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Increase or decrease in weight
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Drowsiness
- Shaking
- Sexual dysfunction, including ejaculation difficulties and low libido
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
Medications can affect people differently. For example, some people experience more severe side effects than others, or notice symptom improvements at different rates. As such, Zoloft might impact people’s appetite and weight differently, which might also be impacted by the individual’s symptoms before treatment.
Factors affecting weight changes with sertraline
Weight gain during Zoloft (sertraline) treatment may be affected by several factors, including: [2][3][4]
- Duration of treatment: People may continue to gain weight as their treatment continues, meaning that longer treatment duration can be linked to more weight gain.
- Gender: Females are more likely to experience weight gain than males.
- Depression symptoms: Some people experience a reduced appetite during depressive episodes, which can mean that starting antidepressant treatment reduces this symptom and helps to regain lost weight. In contrast, some people may eat more and be less active while depressed and, therefore, find that antidepressant treatment helps them to lose weight by reducing these symptoms.
- Individual factors: Multiple other factors could affect weight gain with Zoloft treatment, including diet, exercise, genetics, alcohol or substance use, and stress.
Managing weight while taking Zoloft
When commencing Zoloft treatment, it might be helpful to speak to the prescribing doctor about ways to manage appetite and weight. Strategies to help with this can include: [5]
- Physical exercise
- Eating a healthy diet
- Staying hydrated
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Reducing stress
These strategies can all be beneficial to physical and mental well-being, helping to reduce potential weight gain and improve mood.
Additionally, utilizing behavioral therapies may be useful as they can help develop coping strategies to manage food cravings while also treating mental health conditions. [4]
Do any antidepressants cause less weight gain?
Weight changes that occur with antidepressant treatment can vary, and what causes excessive weight gain in one person might cause no change or weight loss in another. However, according to studies, some antidepressants are more likely to cause weight gain than others. [2][3]
Fluoxetine and bupropion may be the least likely to cause weight gain and may even cause weight loss. [3][6] By class, SSRIs are less likely to cause weight gain than monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). [4]
Mirtazapine, amitriptyline, and paroxetine may be the most likely to cause weight gain. [2][6]
When to speak to a doctor
People taking Zoloft may wish to speak with a doctor about managing weight gain if they notice problematic changes, including: [7]
- Rapid and excessive weight increase
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over, indicating obesity
- Breathing difficulties
- Chest pain or significant changes in heart rate
- Constipation or diarrhea that does not get better
- Signs of other health issues, including pain, shaking, or fever
The doctor might recommend strategies to help manage or reduce weight gain or conduct tests to monitor for other health concerns. They may advise about a change in medication, which could involve transitioning onto a different antidepressant, as various options are available.
It is also important not to reduce or stop Zoloft treatment without following professional advice, as this could cause adverse effects, discontinuation syndrome, or a worsening of mental health symptoms. [1]
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