What should you know about Zoloft and acid reflux?

Zoloft is a brand name for sertraline, an antidepressant. Nausea, indigestion and changes in appetite can occur after starting it or after a dose change. Acid reflux happens when stomach contents travel upward into the oesophagus, causing burning behind the breastbone, an acidic taste, burping or symptoms that are worse after meals or when lying down.

These symptoms can have more than one contributor. Meal timing, alcohol, smoking, certain pain medicines, a hiatus hernia and body weight can affect reflux. A clinician can help distinguish a medicine side effect from reflux that needs its own management.

Keep taking Zoloft as prescribed unless the clinician who manages it advises a change. Stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms and may allow the condition being treated to return. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist to review when symptoms began, whether they followed a dose change and which other medicines, supplements or over-the-counter remedies you use.

For reflux-type discomfort, avoid lying down soon after eating, choose smaller meals when large meals trigger symptoms, and note foods or drinks that repeatedly bring symptoms on. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before adding an antacid or acid-suppressing medicine, because the choice should fit your medicines and health history.

Seek urgent medical care for chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, or trouble swallowing. These symptoms should not be assumed to be reflux. Arrange a medical review for persistent vomiting, unintentional weight loss, food sticking, a chronic cough, worsening night symptoms or reflux that continues despite the measures advised.

Ask whether the timing or dose of sertraline could be contributing, whether another cause needs checking, and which reflux treatment is appropriate with your current medicines. Bring a list of symptoms, meals, dose changes and non-prescription products you have used.