Does Taking Zoloft Cause Weight Gain?

pharmacists at a pharmacy telling a patient medication information

Like many other prescription antidepressants, taking Zoloft can cause gradual weight gain in addition to other side effects. Other side effects associated with Zoloft include nausea, indigestion, and decreased libido.

Share This Post

Zoloft is a popular prescription medication that is commonly used for the treatment of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

It is one of the most popular drugs on the market, but like many antidepressants, Zoloft can potentially cause weight gain. 

Well-known side effects of antidepressants like Zoloft include sexual dysfunction, headache, and nausea, but does taking Zoloft cause weight gain?

What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is a brand name prescription drug that is also sold under the generic name, sertraline. 

Zoloft belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); SSRIs are a type of antidepressant which are commonly used to treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Other SSRI antidepressants include fluoxetine, (Prozac), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram (Celexa). SSRIs are the only antidepressants that don’t increase the risk for high blood pressure.  

Zoloft was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991. Since that time, Zoloft has become one of the most popular antidepressants in the United States, with more than 38 million prescriptions for the medication written in 2017.

The medication has been in such high demand that Zoloft has actually been put on the FDA’s drug shortage list due to difficulties obtaining the medication. 

What is Zoloft used to treat?

Zoloft is an antidepressant that is used to treat a number of different common mental health conditions. Mental health conditions treated with Zoloft include: 

  • Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression
  • Panic disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Although Zoloft has a wide variety of applications for the treatment of various mental health conditions, it is most commonly prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder (major depression). 

YouTube player

Does taking Zoloft cause weight gain?

Antidepressant drugs have long been associated with weight gain. Older classes of antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and MAOIs such as phenelzine (Nardil), are well known for causing significant weight gain and other serious side effects.

Newer antidepressants, including SSRIs and SNRIs, are associated with fewer side effects, but they are still associated with weight gain.

Examples of SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor). 

Zoloft has been shown in several studies to cause significant weight gain, as have other antidepressants.

The same study revealed that over 55 percent of patients using antidepressants, including Zoloft, gained weight over the course of treatment that lasted between 6 and 36 months. 

The study participants were said to experience clinically significant antidepressant use-related weight gain, as 40 percent of the study participants gained at least 7 percent or more weight compared to their baseline weight at the beginning of the study.

Only one medication included in the study, Prozac, was not associated with significant increases in body weight. 

The results were similarly echoed in other studies, which found that weight gain is a common side effect of the majority of SSRIs and SNRIs.

This may be associated with a slightly increased appetite or cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods usually regulated by serotonin that may lead to overeating and extra pounds over time. 

What side effects are associated with Zoloft?

Zoloft is associated with common adverse potential side effects and rare but potentially serious side effects. Common side effects associated with Zoloft include:

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea 
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Upset stomach
  • Drowsiness
  • Decreased libido

Rare but serious side effects associated with Zoloft include:

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
  • Increased risk of bleeding
  • Manic episodes
  • Seizures
  • Low sodium blood levels
  • Angle-closure glaucoma
  • Serotonin syndrome

This may not be a complete list of side effects. Consult a healthcare provider for other possible side effects associated with Zoloft. 

Summary

Taking Zoloft can cause weight gain, as is the case with most other antidepressant medications.

Studies show that Zoloft is likely to cause clinically significant weight gain. There are other side effects associated with Zoloft in addition to weight changes, including sexual dysfunction, nausea, headache, and diarrhea. 

Zoloft is one of the most popular antidepressants on the market and is in such high demand that the medication is occasionally in short supply.

Wellness practices such as increased physical activity could help with weight loss if you see significant changes in your weight while taking Zoloft. Seek medical advice to see if Zoloft is right for you. 

Patients who choose to take Zoloft to treat their mental health conditions can save on both the brand name and generic forms of the medication by using a pharmacy discount card from Pharmacists.org.

References, Studies and Sources: 

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1/sertraline-oral/details

https://www.healthline.com/health/sertraline-oral-tablet

https://www.statista.com/statistics/781658/sertraline-hydrochloride-prescriptions-number-in-the-us/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25467076/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4850471/

We are committed to providing our readers with only trusted resources and science-based studies with regards to medication and health information. 

Disclaimer: This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you suspect medical problems or need medical help or advice, please talk with your healthcare professional.

Share This Post

Pharmacists.org Discount Club

Get Started for $1.

  • Cheapest cash pay option at your retail pharmacy
  • 1,000s of drugs below $10.00 that can beat your co-pay
  • Start for $1 for your first month. Cancel anytime. 
  • Tell us your meds, we tell you the cheapest options.

Popular Destinations

Recent Articles

trusted pharmacists giving patient information

Does Taking Effexor Cause Weight Gain?

Taking Effexor may cause weight gain in some patients. Weight gain is a common side effect of Effexor and other antidepressant medications, and more than half of patients on newer classes of antidepressants report experiencing weight gain.

Read More »

Cerebral Review: Online Depression & Anxiety Treatment

Today, we’re deep diving with a Cerebral review to give you some insider info to help you narrow down your choices.


We review and include products we think are useful for our community. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission. For more info, please read our ad policy, content principles and vetting policy.

Read More »

Share On:

More To Explore

Does Taking Effexor Cause Weight Gain?

Taking Effexor may cause weight gain in some patients. Weight gain is a common side effect of Effexor and other antidepressant medications, and more

How Long Does Lexapro Take To Work?

If you are considering taking Lexapro for your depression or anxiety, you might be wondering how long it takes to work.

Zoloft and Weight Loss: Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to Zoloft and weight loss, here’s everything you need to know.

Cerebral Review: Online Depression & Anxiety Treatment

Today, we’re deep diving with a Cerebral review to give you some insider info to help you narrow down your choices.

We review and include

What are the signs of Depression?

In this article, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of depression as well as some treatment options for this condition.

Can You Use Gabapentin For Anxiety?

While Neurontin is the most common brand name for gabapentin, other forms (such as Horizant and Gralise) may be prescribed depending on the specific

What is Zoloft?

If you have been recently diagnosed with depression and are given Zoloft, you may want to know how the medication works, what common side

What is Venlafaxine HCL ER?

The prescription drug belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SNRIs), which are commonly used to treat mental

Using Prozac With Alcohol: What Are the Risks?

Prozac can be used to treat many different mental health conditions, is associated with a relatively low risk of side effects, and causes the

How Long Does Clonazepam Stay in Your System?

This fast-acting medication is known for being effective at panic attacks, but how long does clonazepam stay in your system?

What is Sertraline and What are the Side Effects?

Sertraline is the generic form of Zoloft, a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs like

Turn On, Tune In, and…. Heal Your Brain? Psychedelics Return as Potential Therapy for Mental Health Disorders

Before they fell out of favor over half a century ago, psychedelic drugs, like psilocybin and LSD, were studied for various psychiatric diseases such

How Long Does Alprazolam Stay in Your System?

Alprazolam is a fast-acting medication, but exactly how long alprazolam stays in your body varies tremendously based on the form of the medication taken,

Paxil vs Zoloft: Differences, Similarities and Which is Better

When it comes to Paxil vs. Zoloft, which is better?

A Supplement for Stress? The Science Behind Adaptogens

Stress is part of all our lives. Adaptogens are a group of herbal supplements studied throughout history as a way to improve the body’s

Does Buspirone Cause Weight Gain?

Many antidepressants can cause weight gain as a side effect. Buspirone may cause an altered appetite as a side effect, which can lead to

Duloxetine Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment

Duloxetine withdrawal is very common and well documented, affecting nearly half of all patients. Common withdrawal symptoms include dizziness, headaches, and nausea, and symptoms

Cymbalta vs. Prozac: Comparison Guide

Cymbalta and Prozac are commonly prescribed medications to treat mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder. The medications are similarly effective, although one

How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your System?

If you use Ativan to manage your health but are curious about how long Ativan lasts in your system, we have all the information

Why is Mental Health Important?

As the saying goes, “There is no health without mental health,” but why is mental health so important? The reality is that although we

What is BuSpar? Uses, Costs, Benefits, and Doses

If you’re one of 40 million American adults suffering from an anxiety disorder or experiencing symptoms of anxiety, you might think that your battle

What are Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics? 

Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics have been shown to prevent psychosis relapse in patients with schizophrenia. To combat poor medication adherence, LAIs are a great

Cymbalta vs Effexor: Differences and Side Effects

Effexor and Cymbalta are antidepressants used for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Although both medications are FDA-approved, Effexor and

Celexa vs Lexapro: Which is Better For Depression?

Both are regarded as equally effective drugs for treating depression. Find out the core difference between Celexa vs. Lexpro now!

What is Ativan? Uses, Costs, Benefits, Doses

More than 40 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, making it the most common mental illness in the

Lexapro Overdose: Signs, Symptoms, and Precautions

We’ve put together a list of the signs and symptoms to look out for when it comes to Lexapro overdose and some of the

Panic Attacks: The Story of an Overpowering Fear

Panic attacks are when you experience a sudden feeling of intense fear with no apparent threat or danger.  This triggers a "fight or flight"

Using Lorazepam with Alcohol: What Are the Risks?

Using lorazepam with alcohol is incredibly dangerous but can be a common occurrence, and is associated with potentially life-threatening side effects, which are outlined

Using Citalopram with Alcohol: What Are the Risks?

Mixing antidepressants with alcohol is always potentially dangerous, but using citalopram with alcohol is particularly unsafe due to the high potential for life-threatening side

Brightside Health Review: Is This Depression & Anxiety Care Useful?

Brightside is an online mental healthcare company that provides treatment services for a range of issues related to anxiety and depression. These conditions include