Zoloft and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Lis...
• February 10, 2020

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I am in my 40s and I suffered a panic attack for the first time while driving. My friend said try Zoloft, so I saw the doctor for it. I kept a log first entry dated May 1, 2018. Day 1 on Zoloft: 'I felt tired, a little dizzy, brain fog - woke up a couple of times feeling weird, not myself. I had stomach upset and diarrhea.' Day 2: 'I woke up feeling like a zombie. I was very tired, no emotion, but I had to get up. When I was driving & came to a stoplight, I felt very anxious.' 'I hope I'm making the right decision to start meds but do I have a choice???' Day 3 & 4: '...felt tired, having brain fog. My stomach is rumbling & a little nausea but it is manageable.' Day 8: 'I woke up feeling tired and right now I feel a little anxiety.' Day 17: 'It's been over 2 weeks & I am driving with little to no anxiety!' I have been on Zoloft 25 mg for 2 years now. Because of reading other people's reviews, I knew what to expect & that kept me going!"

• Bet...
• July 16, 2010

For Depression "I started taking 50mg generic sertraline about 2 weeks ago. I have had a very good experience with it and I love it. Thank God for this medicine and the improvements that it makes on the brain chemistry. Only experienced diarrhea for 1 day (which was okay for me because I've always struggled with constipation which only contributed to fatigue and depression). I'm more social (before I didn't care about doing much, even though I wanted to go out, when it came time to, I would end up going to bed), more easy going, less irritable and cranky. So much more patient with my kids. No side effects for me. Oh and I'm not eating ravenously at night because of stress and anxiety like I used to so it's helping me lose weight. Yay!"

• Mir...
• September 9, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I promised myself that I would write a review and try to help someone else if the medicine worked, and boy did it!! This is truly a miracle pill. It helped me with everything, including my panic attacks, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and OCD rituals. I’m free again, able to live a calm life. I will say the first few weeks were brutal. I had every side effect: nauseous, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, some minor hair loss, and more. I prayed this pill would help me, and it did. Before it, I had no quality of life and, to me, the side effects were worth it. I stuck it out for 3 months, and I’m back to my old self and even better. I had very dark days. The fear was paralyzing, and I couldn’t function. I couldn’t get through the day without my Xanax 0.25 frequently and now Xanax free! I started with 50mg for a month and then 100mg for 8 weeks. Today, I’m working, exercising, being the mom I want to be, and taking stress better. My panic suffering is over. Thank you Lord and Thank you ZOLOFT!"

• Jim...
• August 18, 2013

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I went years without getting help until about 8 months ago when I finally broke down, saw a doctor, and was prescribed Zoloft. This pill has given me my life back. I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, specifically intrusive/disturbing thoughts and obsessions. This disorder occupied all of my time and energy, to the point where life was unbearable and hopeless. About two weeks after starting Zoloft, there were noticeable improvements. After 6 weeks, I was a different person. Anxiety-0, OCD still there but more of a minor inconvenience than life consuming. Side effects were typical at first: nausea, diarrhea, lightheadedness, and insomnia. All of which subsided after a few weeks. I highly recommend that if you are diagnosed, ask for Zoloft."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2022

For Panic Disorder "I’m a 32-year-old female that started taking Zoloft a week ago! Your comments really helped me to even start taking it, so thanks to everyone that left a review because I’m scared of medicine. I am to leave a review in hopes to help someone like me! I started on 25mg but broke it in half to get it into my system for one week, and I will move up to my 25mg. But my experience so far: I have had sleepless nights, headaches, diarrhea. I haven’t really been hungry, but y’all, don’t let that scare you like it did me. I’m telling you, even on a small dose I can tell a small adjustment already, and I will be back in another week to update y’all on the dose increase, but take a leap of faith and try it. I can already tell I’m feeling somewhat better just in a week! We are all in this together!"

• Meh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was terrified to start medication, I knew the side effects by heart, I knew the potential for 'permanent damage.' But after getting to a point of take it or losing yourself completely, I took the first pill of 25 mg for one week, up to 50 mg for the next week. I did suffer a crash midway through the second week and went to the hospital with a nervous breakdown, but it was just one day. I strongly debated stopping, I even did skip two doses before deciding to give it a chance. It took 6 weeks of really fighting to start having days that were not bad, and 8 weeks before I finally felt the click. I take 75 mg of Zoloft and 25 mg of Bupropion a day. I had diarrhea for the first week upon each dose increase, but that was about it as far as side effects. I've lost some weight, and my appetite is lower. Stick with it. Give it a month to a month and a half. Don’t quit! I got my life back!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Maybe my experience can help someone else. I have just completed a 30-day supply of Zoloft. My anxiety has been debilitating since my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in October of 2015. It became so bad that I was becoming bedridden, afraid to leave my home. As a mother of 3 and a wife and daughter, my family needed me and I wasn't able to be there. I finally told my husband and parents I needed to seek help. After a therapy session and a visit with my family doctor, I was given Zoloft. I received it on a Tuesday but was so afraid to take it, I didn't take my first one until Friday (I had read a few bad drug reviews, so I knew some things I could expect, but chose to focus on all the success stories for motivation). For three weeks, it was rough. Also must note, during this time we were hit with Hurricane Matthew which didn't help and I believe set me back a few days. My side effects were tummy aches, diarrhea (sometimes 4 or 5 times a day), a few hot flashes, a couple days of feeling like a zombie, and I had 2 bad panic attacks. I know this sounds horrible, however, my opinion is that I felt as though I had hit rock bottom which is why I turned to medication. I already felt bad, so my commitment was to see this medicine through to the 4-6 week mark as instructed. If I had stopped taking it, I still would have felt horrible, that is what my life had become. With the wonderful support of my children and husband, a lot of take-out food, and my parents helping to take and pick up my kids from school, I am SOOOOOO thankful I stuck with it and made it to the 4-week mark. I feel like I'm getting my life back. It is worth everything you go through. In full disclosure, some people get no side effects. My 20-year-old son has been on Zoloft for a year and never had one side effect. I wasn't that lucky and seemed to have most. Please give yourself the chance. You will read over and over again to stick with it until 4-6 weeks. You must do yourself that favor. Surround yourself with support if you can and just do it. I'm so blessed to have my life back!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Zoloft 25-150 mg for over 2 years. This has been the BEST 2 years of your life. Let me say that it took at least 90 days to really kick in and side effects to abate. If you have spent YEARS obsessed about your every action and thought, fearful and angry, depressed the 90 days of side effects is NOTHING. NOW if you want to keep living the way you are living because of dreams, diarrhea, INITIAL loss of appetite and weight loss then so be it. Improvement takes time. I was a 10-year Paxil user. Have TRIED lithium, Prozac, Luvox, tegretol, Xanax, Valium, Alcohol, illegal drugs, supplements, buspar, Klonopin and on and on. ZOLOFT gives me a chance at life. I am still me with growing up issues at 50 plus but man, this ZOLOFT is the deal."

• Lou...
• September 5, 2016

For Depression "I've been on the generic sertraline 50mg for about two weeks, and I feel so much better. I was very depressed, irritable, had insomnia, and felt like a total failure at life. I had a little diarrhea at first, but then I also have IBS so I wasn't surprised. After a few days, that stopped. I feel like my old self again, like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I'm even singing again, I haven't done that in about a year. I was in denial for a long time, I told myself I could handle the depression - I was wrong. This is the first antidepressant I've been on, and I am very pleased with how much it has helped me."

• Mor...
• July 9, 2021

For Panic Disorder "My friend recently lost her child, and as a mom, it hit me very hard. I constantly worried and had irrational thoughts that something would happen to my daughter. I couldn’t drink caffeine or work out. I felt anxious, shaky, dizzy, and I had palpitations all the time for nearly three weeks prior to starting Zoloft. I could not do anything that I normally did without anxiety, my heart racing, and panic attacks nearly every day. I felt hopeless and heavy, as though I would never get out of my funk. I started taking Zoloft around two and a half weeks ago. Initially, I had terrible nausea, belly pain, shakiness, light-headedness, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. That has slowly subsided over around one and a half weeks. My appetite is still not back 100%, but I am so much happier, no panic attacks in over a week. Slowly, I am feeling more like myself and as though the wall between myself and the world has lifted. This medication takes time and patience, but it is so worth it. God bless!"

• BAa...
• May 22, 2015

For Depression "Absolutely changed my life. I am a 20-year-old female who has struggled with depression and irritability since roughly 13. I tried meditation, I tried the 'power of positive thinking', I tried listening to podcasts, I tried counseling. Nothing helped me until Zoloft. I've been taking Zoloft for 5 weeks. I had minor side effects for the first couple of days (looser stool, headaches, stomach aches) but nothing I couldn't handle, and they went away after 2-3 days as I got used to the medication. I'm currently taking 50 mg and don't plan on increasing. I feel overall happier. I'm not as irritable, and things that I used to hate (going to work) are no longer even bad. I feel more myself, and like I'm not afraid to be outgoing. Highly recommended."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I started taking Zoloft on July 19th, 25 mg. No real side effects, felt a little better within 24 hours. On the 4th day, a little diarrhea. Today is July 30th. Feel pretty calm and happy, no overthinking things, good so far."

• rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I'm a 33-year-old male with PTSD. I was recently retriggered, leading to hyper-vigilance, anxiety, and panic attacks with derealization. After a couple of weeks of suffering through it, I opened up again, got into therapy, and started on 25 mg of sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft). The first couple of days were brutal: worsened panic, tremors, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. My doctor decided to cut my dose down to 12.5 mg for the first week, and the side effects improved dramatically until finally petering out by the end of week 3. Those first weeks, I would read reviews here to boost my morale and decided I'd write a review myself if/when the medication started working, so here I am. I'm a little over two months in now, and I'm really feeling like myself again: connecting with friends/family, taking joy in the things I do, and actually, you know, participating in my own life (go figure). It's a slow but steady process. Hang in there."

• Gen...
• September 11, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I finally asked about going on meds for anxiety after a rough year of being victims of a home invasion and our house flooding. I wanted something to take the edge off as I felt like any little thing would send me spiraling. My doc prescribed 25mg of Zoloft. The first day I felt a little high and had diarrhea. The second day I felt tired. The third day I slept through the night for the first time in months. I felt like a new person. Then the exhaustion crept in, the worst being exactly a week in. It felt like someone put a wet blanket over my brain. I read the message board and felt encouraged to keep going. Today marks exactly a month on Zoloft. The spiraling is no more. I don’t fixate on issues like I used to, and even when our dryer died and a pipe on our softener burst in the same week, I felt like I handled it well. All in all, I’m thankful I tried this as I’m hoping it gets me back to seeing that, despite some unfortunate circumstances, I’m very blessed and should enjoy every moment."

• Tab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking Zoloft for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety for going on 5 months now. The first two weeks taking it were genuinely the worst two weeks of my life; all I could do was sit in bed all day, every day, and even that was too much for me. I completely lost my appetite, lost 15 lbs in two weeks. I constantly had diarrhea, an increased heart rate, anxiety 100% of the time. Week 3 came around, and I felt a shift start; things started to get better, slowly. By week five, I was able to do things I hadn't been able to do in years! I've had pretty bad anxiety surrounding making phone calls my entire life, and now I don't! Not every day is totally great; no pill can guarantee that, but my life feels livable again. I promised myself that if Zoloft worked for me, I'd come back to this website and write a review. During those first two weeks, I used to scroll through this website for HOURS, and reading positive reviews is what got me through it."

• 40...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2017

For Depression "Got prescribed Zoloft after my 20-year relationship ended after my ex-husband became addicted to meth. I was very depressed and couldn't control my thoughts about the situation. I had a hard time sleeping, zoning out, focusing, and adjusting to my normal everyday life. I started on 25 mg for about 3 weeks then increased to 50 mg. I've been on 50 mg for a couple of months and feel so much better. I can focus on my life again and never break down crying anymore, etc. I had no side effects besides loose stool here and there. I like how there were no real side effects for me, and it did what I was seeking. I would recommend trying Zoloft before other medications. I will not increase my dosage."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2014

For Depression "I started taking Zoloft about a month ago. In the first week, I had some diarrhea and experienced some insomnia, but it soon disappeared. Within three weeks, my depression and anxiety subsided. This medication changed my life."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I am 6 days into Sertraline 50mg for panic disorder and want to reassure anyone who is terrified of starting this drug because they've read about all the terrible side effects, just as I was. I am a 23-year-old female suffering from this for 8 years. Various therapies have helped but I keep relapsing. Last week I gave in and spoke to my Dr about meds. The first night I panicked because I was so scared of the side effects, which turned out to be mild at worst. Insomnia the first night, day 2 mild headache + slight diarrhea, and slight nausea on day 3+4, also loss of appetite. Overall, it felt like a mild hangover. I have felt slight anxiety at times, but it subsides quickly and doesn't develop. I'm feeling calmer already not even a week in!"

• JLf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2025

For Postpartum Depression "I am yet another mom who frantically looked up reviews of this medication in hope of finding some relief from crippling postpartum anxiety and panic disorder. I have been on Zoloft for exactly 12 weeks now and can honestly say it was life-changing. I suffered from PPA shortly after birth but delayed getting help until my daughter was 7 months old. I, like many other moms on here, tried everything before medication: CBT, meditation, exercise, yoga, you name it. Nothing could help me escape the crippling intrusive thoughts, daily panic attacks, irrational fears, and insomnia. Starting Zoloft was awful. I had diarrhea, worsening anxiety, and nausea for the first 7 weeks. I was ready to give up the medication until I gradually noticed a change in my thought patterns. I worked my way (very slowly) up to 50 mg and have been there for six weeks. My family notices so many positive changes in my attitude and behavior. Best of all, the side effects dissipate."

• fee...
• May 22, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I've been on 25mg for 2 weeks. In 5 days, it started to work. Let me tell you, I'm doing 80% better than before. I've developed awful social anxiety and (almost) panic attacks over the last 2 years, and I don't know what's going on. I've been in psychotherapy for a year, and it hasn't done much, although the therapist, on occasion, suggested that I look into anti-anxiety meds. After 3 years, I've taken the plunge. I almost feel like I have my life back. I'm able to be around people with 80% less anxiety than before. I'm confident again. I like myself. It's like this dark cloud is finally starting to dissipate. I'm recovering. At 2 weeks, I have no side effects except diarrhea in the first week."

• imn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on this medication for exactly 20 days now, and believe me when I say it has saved my life! I dealt with extremely disturbing intrusive thoughts, leading to severe anxiety and depression for 4 years. After almost giving up completely on my life, I finally told my GP about my situation. He, along with a psychologist, confirmed the OCD and put me on 50mg of Zoloft for the first week, then increased to 100mg. I finally feel like myself again! OCD is minimal and definitely manageable, to the point where it barely bothers me, and I know it'll improve because it's only been 20 days! It does cause a little diarrhea, but it's so worth it."

• Lov...
• August 4, 2017

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I wish that I would have started this drug much sooner. I was very reluctant to take an antidepressant mainly due to stigma. I felt immediate relief from anxiety, paranoia, irritability, hopelessness, helplessness, suicidal thoughts, depression, and feeling out of control. I have had major symptoms for several years premenstrually, and it was premenstrual dysphoric disorder. I am very thankful for Zoloft, and I don't ever want to be caught without it. It is the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time. The side effects are very minimal, my side effects would include just feeling a little tired, some gas, and mild diarrhea at times. I would trade this any day for the problems that I was having before I started taking Zoloft. It truly has saved my life."

• bas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2013

For Depression "At first, I was reluctant to take a pill, even though I had been diagnosed with major depression. My family talked me into taking this medication. I am on my third week of taking Zoloft. The first week, my doctor started me on 50mg. The first few days, I felt awful but stuck with the medication. I had not felt much relief in my depression and anxiety on 50mg, so my psych doc put me on 100mg after two weeks. I am on day 4 taking 100mg sertraline and have already started to notice a difference in my mood. I am less anxious and worry much less at work. I am also beginning to venture out of the house more than I used to. The only side effects I've had on sertraline are mild headache, diarrhea, and a decrease in sexual performance."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I started on Paxil, and those side effects were so awful I quit after 6 months. I was then switched to Zoloft, and it's so much better. Side effects are more subtle than Paxil. I did wake up wide awake in the middle of the night, couldn't sleep, diarrhea, tossing and turning, shaky euphoric feeling, but it only lasted about a week, then my body got used to it. It is an awful feeling, let me tell you, but as long as you tell yourself to push through and do things to tire you out, it does get better. I would read or watch boring sitcoms till I dosed off. I did take an over-the-counter sleep aid a few times when the restlessness was really bad, and it did help. About the second week I was able to fully sleep, then the third week I was sleeping better than ever before. The side effects aren't fun, but now that my body is used to the medicine, I haven't had any anxiety attacks, and I don't feel like such a failure. Don't give up, the side effects are only temporary!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2022

For Panic Disorder "I was once just like many of you when it came to taking medication for my anxiety and panic disorder. I was scared and put it off for about a year! I finally started, and I’m on week 2, and it has helped me so much! The first week definitely was rough because, of course, it does increase your anxiety. I only had diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and insomnia for the side effects. Day 8 is when I saw the change! I was happy and doing things again! I’m happy I looked at all the positive reviews instead of the negative reviews. Zoloft has really been helping me a lot, and I feel like I got my life back! Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for taking care of your mental health. It’s okay to take medication that will help you! You got this!"