Sertraline, brand name Zoloft®, is a medication used mainly to treat depression. Sertraline and fatigue can be related, as excessive tiredness is one of the common side effects of this medication. Depression can also cause fatigue, which may improve with sertraline or other medications.
There is a connection between sertraline and fatigue because fatigue is a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline, a class of medication that interacts with a neurotransmitter called serotonin. This brain chemical is involved in regulating mood, among other functions. SSRIs are typically prescribed to treat depression, but can be effective for other psychiatric disorders as well.
There are several side effects a person may experience when taking sertraline, but most of them are relatively minor. Someone taking this medication may experience gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, lack of appetite, and weight changes. Sertraline and fatigue are related, as a person may experience drowsiness or tiredness while taking this medication. People may also experience headaches, dizziness, nervousness, and sweating while on this medication.
Serious side effects of sertraline are relatively rare. This medication has been shown to occasionally cause suicidal thoughts or actions, especially when used in younger people, so it is important to monitor someone who is initially taking this medication. Experts are not sure how high this risk is, however, and the risks caused by untreated depression are usually higher.
Another way sertraline and fatigue are related is through depression, the disorder sertraline is most often used to treat. Depression is a serious mental illness where a person feels sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed more often than not for an extended period of time. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Treatment with sertraline may actually help relieve some of the fatigue caused by depression.
Many people suffer from depression, and sertraline has been shown to be a very effective and relatively safe treatment for this disorder. It is typically used to treat people who are suffering from acute depression, but may be prescribed long term to help prevent relapses of the disorder. Most side effects of sertraline are relatively minor, so it is a good first choice of medication. There are many types of SSRIs, however, so if sertraline is not well-tolerated or effective, other medications are available.
Depression is not the only disorder sertraline is effective in treating. It may also be prescribed to help with anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or panic attacks. Sertraline and fatigue can be related when the medication is used to treat these disorders as well.