Sertraline-Associated Night Sweats

Clinical Evidence and Guidelines

The American Family Physician guidelines note that diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, sexual dysfunction, sweating, tremor, and weight gain are commonly reported with second-generation antidepressants, including sertraline 1
Guidelines on premature ejaculation treatment describe the adverse event profile of SSRIs, including sweating as part of serotonin syndrome in severe cases 2, 3
The FDA-approved prescribing information for sertraline lists sweating as one of the most common treatment-emergent adverse events, with sweating among the typical side effects that can include sweating, tremors, nervousness, insomnia or somnolence, dizziness, and various gastrointestinal and sexual disturbances 4, 5

Serotonin syndrome can present with sweating, mental status changes, neuromuscular hyperactivity, and autonomic instability, and is a medical emergency 2, 3, 6, 7
If night sweats are bothersome but sertraline is otherwise effective, consider reassuring the patient, using practical measures like lighter bedding and cooler bedroom temperatures, and discussing alternative antidepressants with a healthcare provider 1, 2

The American Family Physician guidelines note that sweating is a commonly reported adverse effect with second-generation antidepressants, including sertraline, with side effects being "commonly mild and short lived," though they cause 10-20% of patients to discontinue treatment 8, 9
Higher doses of sertraline are associated with an increased frequency of sweating, which is dose-related 8

The American College of Physicians may recommend gradual tapering of sertraline if discontinuation is necessary, to avoid withdrawal symptoms, including headache, dizziness, nausea, and electric shock-like sensations 8, 9