I started taking sertraline 3 weeks ago at 25mg , have been on 50mg for a week now. There are minor uncomfortable side effects, but a big change in my anxiety, so that's alright! However, I've been experiencing severe stomach pain in the early evening that lasts for 3-4 hours. No vomiting/diarrhea, just severe pain in my stomach. I take this med in the am, with breakfast. Please, does anyone have advice on how to avoid this? the pain is comparable to childbirth pains, except constant, and the following morning my stomach feels weak and achy from all the cramping.
New to sertraline, 50mg in the am with food. Severe stomach pain for 3-4hrs in the evening. ADVICE??
Question posted by dani_shay on 21 Nov 2013
Last updated on 14 January 2020 by DT8359
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7 Answers
DT8359
14 Jan 2020
I have taken Zoloft for years and always have had stomach problems. I can take within 5 minutes my lower stomach is hurting, bloating, gassy, sweating. The symptoms usually last about 30 minutes I hate taking them but need to. Just started CBD oil to try and get off them.
Joebasar360
23 June 2019
Its is the medicine I've tried and tested it .I stopped taking sertraline after hospitalization for lower intestine pains thousands of dollars in scans on my stomach,lower instestines .After three days of not taking it ... I stopped having any symptoms, day I took it after thirty min to o ne hour ... stomach pains like heartburn times.ten... also the pain. Could start three hours after taking depends on what's in you're stomach.I took some coconut oil seems to be working this is live .so I'll post an hour from now if it worked.
Hamza1967
12 April 2018
I used to take this Sertraline 100mg twice a day. It was prescribed for depression, but also greatly assisted with premature ejaculation. I have a lap band and began having issues taking it after the installation of lap band. Same as you described, incredible pain in stomach, bloating and have even vomitted a few times. My Dr. took me off of it and now I use Bupropion, however, still use Sertraline the day of having sex as it is wonderful for premature ejaculation. It works so well that 100mg for me makes me have a normal timed orgasm and 200mg will have lasting like Iron Man! However, taking those 1-2 pills that day is like playing Russian Roulette. If I take 1, I literally will know if it will be a bad reaction within a few minutes as the stomach Pain will start and could get debilitatingly painful... so much for sex! If the first pill goes down without much issue, I dare risk my luck to take a 2nd to get to Iron Man status.
Interesting enough, the last 3 times I took it, I immediately put a Extra Strength Ricolla throat losenge in my mouth and sucked on it until it was gone... seemed to ward off the Sertraline gut pain. Maybe the strong menthol in the stomach?? I don't know, but if certainly helped.
Anon99
12 April 2018
Did you ever figure out what this was as I am currently suffering very badly from the symptoms you are describing here and looking for any help that I can!
Thank you!
DzooBaby
21 Nov 2013
If it is not constipation or gas, then you should mention it to the Dr. Since it is occurring so far past the time you take it, I tend to think it is likely not related to the Sertraline. If it was caused by the medication, you would have it within the first hour or two of taking the medication.
kaismama
21 Nov 2013
Are you constipated or have gas? I can think of only one reason an antidepressant would cause stomach pain that far away from when its taken, and that is gas. They can increase the gas formation.
kathyhanson
21 Nov 2013
Hi dani,
I, too, take 50mg of sertraline daily. I was told to take it at bedtime. I have no digestive side effects, and I have GERD and IBS. Have you mentioned this stomach pain to your doctor? Perhaps a muscle relaxer would help. Feel better!
Tammydee89
13 March 2018
I have IBS and gerds, I take sertraline in the morning but I've only been on it a couple days and I'm actually in agony right now its been going on for an hour should I go to doctor and say?
Related topics
pain, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, sertraline, side effect, stomach pain, stomach
Further information
- Sertraline uses and safety info
- Sertraline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Sertraline (detailed)
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