Sertraline (Zoloft) is not recommended for everyone, and prescribers may have to adjust dosages in some cases to prevent or reduce the risk of unwanted sertraline interactions with other drugs, medical conditions, or even food and beverages.
Drug Interactions
According to the FDA, drugs that may interact with sertraline include the following:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), commonly used to treat depression and Parkinson’s disease
- Pimozide (Orap), commonly used to reduce uncontrollable body movements and vocal tics
- Other drugs that affect serotonin, such as other serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as warfarin (Jantoven)
- Drugs that bind to proteins in the blood, such as warfarin (Jantoven)
- Drugs metabolized by the enzyme CYP2D6, such as propafenone (Rythmol SR), used to treat or prevent heart rhythm problems
- Phenytoin (Phenytek), used to prevent and treat epileptic seizures
Please note that this list may not be complete, and other interactions with drugs not listed here may occur.
Sertraline and BuSpar
Using sertraline and BuSpar, also known as buspirone, together can increase the risk of the rare but serious condition, serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include:
- confusion,
- agitation,
- hallucinations,
- extreme changes in blood pressure,
- seizures,
- increased heart rate,
- fever,
- excessive sweating,
- shaking or shivering,
- blurred vision,
- muscle spasm or stiffness,
- tremors,
- poor coordination,
- stomach cramps,
- nausea,
- vomiting, and
- diarrhea.
In severe cases, coma and death may occur.
Sertraline and Tramadol
Combining sertraline and tramadol (Ultram) may cause serotonin syndrome. The interaction may be more likely in consumers who:
- are elderly,
- have a history of seizures,
- undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, or
- who have a brain tumor, head trauma, or another condition affecting the central nervous system.
Sertraline and Adderall
Adderall contains amphetamine; using sertraline and Adderall together can increase the stimulant effects of Adderall to cause jitteriness, nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, racing thoughts, and potentially result in serotonin toxicity.
Food Interactions
Food and beverages can sometimes interact with medications to cause unwanted side effects or to alter the effects of the medications.
Food and drink that may interact with sertraline include:
- Alcohol
Please note that this list may not be complete, and other foods and beverages may interact with this drug.
Sertraline and Alcohol
For more information, please visit our page on sertraline and alcohol interactions.
Disease & Conditions Interactions
Medications can sometimes cause negative side effects in patients with certain medical conditions. According to the FDA, diseases and medical conditions known to interact negatively with sertraline include:
- Liver disease
Please note that this list may not be complete, and there may be diseases and medical conditions that interact with this medication.
Sertraline and Pregnancy
For more information, please visit our page on sertraline and pregnancy risks.
Sertraline and Weight Gain
Like other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sertraline can cause weight gain.
Sertraline and Insomnia
Sertraline can cause insomnia and other sleep problems. For example, taking this medication can prevent someone from sleeping all the way through the night, affect the depth of sleep, and interfere with the phase of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM).
Sertraline and Weight Loss
Serotonin is the body’s own appetite suppressant. The National Health Service (NHS) says that taking sertraline can make the consumer more or less hungry, so the individual may lose or gain weight.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
