Medications · FAQ
Which sertraline side effects need urgent medical attention?
Short answer
Get urgent help for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, seizures, serious bleeding, or confusion with fever and stiff muscles while taking sertraline. These may signal a serious reaction. New suicidal thoughts also need prompt attention. Call 911 for immediate danger or 988 for a mental health crisis.
Most side effects do not require emergency care, but certain symptoms should not wait. Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, a seizure, or collapse. These can be signs of a severe reaction. Do not wait for an online visit response during an emergency.
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening reaction. Warning signs can include agitation, confusion, fever, heavy sweating, a fast heartbeat, diarrhea, tremor, or stiff muscles. The risk is higher with some medicine combinations. Seek urgent medical care if these symptoms occur together.
Sertraline can also increase bleeding risk or cause low sodium. Get urgent care for vomiting blood, black stools, severe confusion, fainting, or marked weakness. Sudden eye pain with vision changes also needs urgent assessment.
Contact your physician promptly for unusually high energy, risky behavior, or little need for sleep, which may suggest mania. New suicidal thoughts require prompt help. Call or text 988 in a crisis, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.