Do you take zoloft one or twice a day?

Does Zoloft cause weight gain?

Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI antidepressant that increases serotonin in your brain. While initial trials did not list weight gain as a side effect, long‑term studies show some users experience modest increases.

Evidence from studies

• Up to 32 weeks: Average gain ~1% of body weight; 4.2% gained ≥ 7% of baseline weight[1].
• 2 years: Mean gain ~5.9 lb (2.7 kg)[2].
• 6 months to 24 months: +0.5 lb at 6 mo, +3.2 lb at 24 mo[3].

Comparison with other antidepressants

• Lexapro: +1.4 lb at 6 mo; +3.6 lb at 24 mo (<15% higher risk than Zoloft)
• Paxil: +1.4 lb at 6 mo; +3.0 lb at 24 mo (14% higher risk)
• Cymbalta: +1.2 lb at 6 mo; +1.7 lb at 24 mo (10% higher risk)
• Wellbutrin: 15% lower risk of ≥5% weight gain vs. Zoloft
• Prozac: No significant weight change

Zoloft FAQs

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Trouble sleeping
• Dry mouth
• Indigestion
• Drowsiness

Less common side effects

• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of appetite
• Vision changes
• Tremor
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sweating

Serious side effects

• Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty)
• Worsening depression or suicidal thoughts
• Serotonin syndrome (fever, muscle stiffness, confusion)
• Increased bleeding risk (bruising, black stools, bleeding gums)
• Angle‑closure glaucoma (eye pain, vision changes)
• Abnormal heart rhythm (chest pain, fainting)
• Low sodium (weakness, confusion, headache)

How to mitigate weight gain

• Healthy diet: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains.
• Regular exercise: ≥ 150 min moderate activity + 2 strength sessions weekly[4].
• Quality sleep: Aim for 7–9 hr/night to support weight management[5].
• Medication review: Discuss alternative antidepressants if weight gain is problematic.

Sources

1. BMJ. Gafoor R et al. Antidepressant use & weight gain over 10 years. 2018;361:k1951.
2. J Clin Med. Arterburn D et al. Long‑term weight change on antidepressants. 2016;5(4):48.
3. JAMA Psychiatry. Blumenthal SR et al. Electronic health record study of weight gain. 2014;71(8):889‑96.
4. CDC. Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults. Accessed July 10, 2024.
5. Int J Obes. Kline CE et al. Sleep health & weight loss. 2021;45(3):639‑49.