People taking sertraline, one of the UK’s most prescribed antidepressants, are being urged not to mistake a common side effect for hormones or the weather. Pharmacist Raj Patel, who posts online as @Therajrpatel, says he is surprised how often patients blame weather conditions, bedding or hormones when their tablet dosage could be responsible.
Common side effect affecting up to one in 10
Increased sweating is listed as a common side effect of sertraline in UK patient information, meaning it may affect up to one in 10 people. Patel says some patients report sweating more despite not feeling hot, or noticing their body suddenly runs “clammy” for no clear reason.
He said: "If you take sertraline, your medicine could be one possible contributor. Increased sweating is listed as a common side effect of sertraline in UK patient information, meaning it may affect up to one in 10 people." He added: "It surprises me how often waking up sweaty gets blamed entirely on hormones or the weather."
Other causes to consider
Sertraline is a prescription-only SSRI used for conditions including depression, OCD, PTSD and social anxiety disorder. The NHS says it’s believed to work by boosting serotonin levels, a brain chemical linked to mood.
The pharmacist stresses that sweating doesn’t automatically mean sertraline is to blame, because many things can trigger it. Causes range from menopause and anxiety to infections or fever, thyroid issues, alcohol, other medicines, a too-warm bedroom or bedding, and wider underlying health problems.
Advice for patients
If sweating is new, persistent, heavy or worrying, Patel says it’s worth speaking to a pharmacist or prescriber to check whether medication or another cause is involved. He also warns people not to abandon tablets on their own if they suspect a link, as stopping an SSRI suddenly can bring withdrawal symptoms. Any change should usually be planned gradually with medical advice.
If the sweating comes with red-flag symptoms - like ongoing fever, feeling seriously unwell, unexplained weight loss or other unusual changes - he urges getting help sooner rather than later. The key message, he says, is don’t shrug it off as "just summer" if it's out of character for you.
On side effects, the NHS says: "Like all medicines, sertraline can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Most side effects should ease after a couple of weeks as your body gets used to the medicine, but some can last longer. Sertraline can sometimes cause more serious side effects, although most of them are rare."
