Question: what are the Sertraline sexual side effects? 

ANSWERS: this medication is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. It may also be used to treat social anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Your physician may also prescribe it for other conditions if they feel this is the right medication to treat the condition. Sertraline is the generic name for the brand name Zoloft. This medication is in a group of drugs that is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

How to Take Zoloft

You can take this medication with or without food and you need to take it at the same time each day. Even if you start to feel better you should not stop taking the medication because you may have side effects if it is stopped suddenly.

Zoloft Side Effects in Men

Not everyone will have side effects from taking this medication but there are common side effects that can happen to both men and women. In some men, they may have sexual side effects such as:

  • Decreased sexual drive or libido-in a clinical study it has been shown that up to eleven percent of men taking Zoloft for obsessive compulsive disorder had a decrease in their libido. Only one percent taking this medication of depression had a decrease in libido.
  • Ejaculation failure-in clinical studies up to nineteen percent of the people taking Zoloft had this side effect. The highest number occurred in people who were taking this medication for panic disorder. Only seven percent taking Zoloft for depression had this side effect.
  • Impotence-the exact percent that had this side effect has not been documented or reported but they feel it is less than one percent.
  • Priapism-this is a painful erection that does constant cramping in early pregnancy not go away and if it is left untreated it can lead to damage that is permanent to the penis. This condition has occurred in very few men. If you have symptoms of this condition you need to see your physician immediately or seek emergency care.

Common Side Effects

  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Anxiety or nervousness
  • Decreased sexual ability or desire
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness or feeling tired
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased sweating
  • Loss of appetite, weight loss
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Stomach upset, vomiting, nausea

Dosage for Adults and Children

Adults:

  • Major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder-this medication needs to be administered in dosages of fifty milligrams a day.
  • Panic disorder, social anxiety disorder or post traumatic stress disorder-this medication should be started with twenty-five milligrams once a day and then after one week it should be upped to fifty milligram once a day.
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder-this medication should be started with a dose of fifty milligrams a day. It should be limited to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle or daily throughout the menstrual cycle depending on what your physician decides.

Pediatric-Children and Adolescents

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder-for children aged six to twelve, the medication should be started with a daily dosage of twenty-five milligrams. For children and adolescents aged thirteen to seventeen, the medication should be started with a daily dosage of fifty milligrams.