Symptoms of a Zoloft Overdose

Zoloft (sertraline)) belongs to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). While safe when taken as prescribed, it may lead to overdose when taken in high doses or combined with other medications that impact serotonin levels.

Someone who's taken too much Zoloft could have one or many symptoms ranging from mild to severe, but they're rarely life-threatening. Some are common in most cases, whereas other, less common effects can be more consequential.

Zoloft is one of the most commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressants. It's typically prescribed for anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's also used to treat major depressive ​disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Symptoms of Zoloft Overdose

Zoloft increases the available amount of serotonin, the "feel happy" neurotransmitter responsible for mood and other aspects of health. Too much serotonin, however, can cause symptoms ranging from unpleasant to serious.

Serotonin Syndrome

Among the most serious risks of Zoloft overdose is serotonin syndrome, in which levels of serotonin reach a level that can cause symptoms such as:

• Muscle rigidity
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Coma

Serotonin syndrome is most likely to happen in interaction with another drug.

Getting Help for Zoloft Overdose

If you or someone you know has accidentally taken a higher dose of Zoloft than prescribed, it's a good idea to get help right away, before the drug has a chance to cause unpleasant or dangerous symptoms.

If a trip to an emergency room isn't possible, call the national toll-free Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or visit PoisonHelp.org. The staff there is trained to assess your situation over the phone and give advice about what to do.

Information to Have Ready

When you go to the emergency room or call Poison Control, the more information you can provide, the more precise the treatment can be. Having the following information available will be helpful:

• Any other drugs or supplements taken along with Zoloft
• Current signs/symptoms
• How long since the drug was taken
• How much Zoloft was consumed (actual amount or your best guess)
• The person's age, sex, and weight
• The regular dosage (what the doctor prescribed)
• Whether the person attempted suicide

Treatment for Zoloft Overdose

If the overdose was fairly recent, healthcare providers might pump the person's stomach to remove any of the drug that the body has not absorbed yet. Another option is to use activated charcoal to absorb any remaining medication in the stomach.

There's no antidote for a Zoloft overdose. Healthcare providers will monitor the person's vital signs—heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure—and treat any problems that might arise.

Next Steps After a Zoloft Overdose

Following treatment for a Zoloft overdose, full recovery occurs once the drug has fully left the system. If the overdose was accidental, the doctor will advise the person on what to do next, which may involve switching to a different antidepressant or adjusting the dosage.

The next step is to make sure that an overdose does not happen again. To prevent accidental overdose:

• Avoid recreational substance use.
• Avoid taking Zoloft with other prescription antidepressants.
• If you miss a dose of your medication, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, however, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your regular time.
• Talk to your doctor about any other medications you're taking.
• Never take two doses of Zoloft at the same time.

If the overdose was intentional, short-term treatment might involve hospitalization until the risk of suicide is no longer imminent. Health professionals might advise switching to another type of antidepressant if sertraline has not been effective in reducing depressive symptoms. 

Long-term treatments might involve further use of antidepressants, psychotherapy, and psychosocial support to address suicidal thoughts and symptoms of depression.