Sertraline and Excessive Sweating: Causes, Side Effects, and Advice
Taking sertraline and experiencing excessive sweating or night sweats? Learn why sertraline may cause increased perspiration, other possible causes, and when to seek medical advice.
If you take sertraline and have recently noticed that you are sweating more than usual, the weather may not be the only explanation.
Excessive sweating can be uncomfortable, particularly when it happens during sleep or when you are not exercising or feeling particularly warm. While there are several possible reasons for increased perspiration, a pharmacist has highlighted that sertraline can be one potential contributor.
Sertraline is a commonly prescribed antidepressant belonging to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Like other medicines, it can cause side effects, and increased sweating is among those listed in UK patient information.
Can sertraline cause excessive sweating?
Yes. Increased sweating is a recognised side effect of sertraline. According to information highlighted by pharmacist Raj Patel, it is listed as a common side effect and may affect up to one in 10 people.
This does not mean that everyone taking sertraline will experience excessive sweating. It also does not mean that sertraline is automatically responsible whenever someone develops night sweats or increased perspiration.
However, if sweating is a new symptom that began after starting sertraline, changing your dose or continuing treatment for some time, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
People can sometimes attribute sweating to warm temperatures, heavy bedding, hormonal changes or other everyday factors. These explanations can be reasonable, but persistent or unusual sweating should not necessarily be dismissed.
What does sertraline-related sweating look like?
Everyone's experience can be different. Some people may simply notice that they perspire more during the day, while others may experience sweating during the night.
Possible signs can include:
- Waking up with damp clothing
- Finding that your bedding becomes unusually wet
- Sweating despite not feeling particularly hot
- Perspiring more heavily than you previously did
- Developing noticeable sweating after starting or changing sertraline treatment
Night sweats can be especially easy to overlook because people may assume that their bedroom is too warm or that their duvet is too heavy.
If the problem continues even when your sleeping environment is comfortable, it may be useful to consider other potential causes, including medication.
What is sertraline used for?
Sertraline is a prescription antidepressant that belongs to the SSRI family.
The NHS explains that it can be prescribed for several mental health conditions, including depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder.
The medicine works by affecting serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger associated with mood and other functions.
Because sertraline affects chemical signalling in the body, people can experience different effects when beginning treatment or adjusting their medication. Side effects can vary from person to person.
It is therefore important to consider the full picture rather than assuming that every new symptom has the same cause.
Excessive sweating can have many causes
Although sertraline may contribute to increased sweating, there are many other possible explanations.
Potential causes mentioned by the pharmacist include:
Hormonal changes
Menopause and perimenopause can cause episodes of sweating and night sweats. Hormonal fluctuations may make it difficult to determine whether medication or another factor is responsible.
Infections and fever
The body's temperature can rise when fighting an infection. Sweating may occur as the body attempts to regulate its temperature.
Anxiety
Anxiety can trigger physical responses, including perspiration. This can sometimes make it difficult to distinguish symptoms associated with anxiety from medication side effects.
Thyroid problems
Conditions affecting the thyroid can influence metabolism and body temperature and may sometimes be associated with increased sweating.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption can also contribute to sweating in some circumstances.
Other medicines
Sertraline may not be the only medication worth considering. Other prescription or non-prescription medicines can sometimes contribute to sweating.
Bedroom temperature and bedding
A warm room, thick duvet or unsuitable bedding can naturally lead to sweating during sleep.
Other health conditions
Persistent or unexplained sweating can sometimes be associated with an underlying medical condition. For this reason, ongoing symptoms should be assessed rather than automatically attributed to medication.
When should you speak to a doctor or pharmacist?
If sweating is new, persistent, excessive or causing concern, speaking with a pharmacist or prescriber is advisable.
A healthcare professional can review when the symptom started, whether it coincided with starting or changing sertraline, and whether another medication, health condition or environmental factor could be involved.
Keeping track of when the sweating happens can also be useful. For example, you could note whether it occurs mainly at night, after taking your medication, during stressful situations or regardless of the temperature.
This information can help a healthcare professional assess the situation more effectively.
Should you stop taking sertraline if you are sweating more?
You should not stop taking sertraline suddenly without medical advice.
SSRIs can cause withdrawal or discontinuation symptoms if they are stopped abruptly. If a prescriber decides that treatment should be reduced or discontinued, the dose will generally need to be reviewed and reduced according to an appropriate plan.
If you believe sertraline is causing excessive sweating, speak with your prescriber or pharmacist before making changes to your medication.
The goal is not simply to identify a possible side effect. It is also to make sure your underlying condition continues to be treated safely.
When could sweating require urgent medical attention?
Sweating alone is not necessarily an emergency, but it is important to pay attention to other symptoms.
The pharmacist highlighted that people should seek medical advice sooner if excessive sweating occurs alongside symptoms such as:
- Persistent fever
- Feeling significantly unwell
- Unexplained weight loss
- Other unusual or concerning changes in health
These symptoms can have many possible explanations, so they should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
The bottom line
Sertraline can cause increased sweating, including excessive perspiration and night sweats, but it is not the only possible cause.
If you take sertraline and suddenly find yourself sweating more than usual, consider factors such as the temperature of your room, hormonal changes, anxiety, infections, thyroid problems, alcohol, other medicines and other health conditions.
Most importantly, do not assume that the symptom is simply caused by hot weather or your bedding if it is persistent or unusual. At the same time, do not automatically assume that sertraline is responsible.
If the sweating is new, ongoing, excessive or troubling, speak with your pharmacist or prescriber. They can help determine whether the medication may be contributing and whether further investigation is appropriate.
Never stop or change a prescribed antidepressant without professional guidance.
Sources:
- NHS, Sertraline: information about uses, how sertraline works and related medicine guidance.
- Daily Mirror, article published September 8, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medication side effects can vary between individuals. If you are concerned about symptoms while taking sertraline, consult a pharmacist, doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Do not stop prescribed medication abruptly unless advised to do so by a healthcare professional.