How to Get Relief From Zoloft Stomach Pain?

By - Dr Umme Hurayra

Did you take Zoloft and worry about the stomach ache it causes? Although you have done some exercise, follow some tips from a health expert and use some home remedies. But still, you’re suffering from stomach pain due to taking Zoloft.

Ok, relax and continue reading this article to know how you can get relief from Zoloft stomach pain. While Zoloft helps reduce anxiety, sometimes the stomach pain it causes can be bothersome. But you can get relief from it with the right strategies.

Before we discuss anything else, you must know what Zoloft is. So come with us.

What Is Zoloft?

Zoloft is Sertraline- a drug used to treat depression and various other health conditions. 

Zoloft is used to treat conditions such as:

Zoloft, having the generic name Sertraline, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It helps restore the levels of serotonin in your brain- a neurotransmitter that gets low in depression. When it is restored, your mood may get elevated.

Along with benefits, people often complain about Zoloft’s side effects that are sometimes difficult to tolerate. It may cause side effects such as;

If you have any of these side effects, you should report them to your healthcare provider. Sometimes they may prescribe another medication that can help relieve your complaint. However, they will only prescribe you Zoloft, when the benefit overweighs the risk of taking it. If the side effect is too severe and difficult to bear, your healthcare provider may stop the medication and prescribe some other medicine in place of it. 

In any case, you must consult with a healthcare provider before you quit taking it. If you stop taking it abruptly, it may result in more severe and hard to tolerate side effects. When you take an antidepressant, your brain becomes used to it, and when you stop taking it abruptly, the pre-existing condition can worsen even more.

Therefore if you take Zoloft for depression or any other reason, you must consult with a healthcare provider. They can decide whether you should keep taking it or stop its use.

In this article, we will tell you about how to ease stomach pain from Zoloft. Keep reading to know them. Now you know what Zoloft is! And it can cause stomach aches as a side effect. Therefore to get relief from it, you can try exercising some tips. They are described as follows;

Zoloft Stomach Pain Relief: 9 Amazing Tips

Zoloft or Sertraline- an antidepressant can cause side effects of a stomach ache. To get rid of stomach ache due to Zoloft use, you can exercise the following tips;

Keep Drinking Water

Drinking water helps your digestive tract to digest food. When you do not drink enough water, it can result in dehydration and indigestion. Not drinking enough water can also cause constipation which causes stomach pain. Therefore make a habit of drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water in a day. With an antidepressant, the complaints of constipation are also increased.

Therefore it is advised to drink plenty of water so that your food can digest well and you do not have any constipation that can lead to stomach aches. Along with the fluids you consume, do not forget to drink plenty of water.

You should make a habit of drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water a day. So that your digestive system keeps working. When you are dehydrated, it can also cause bloating, and sometimes digestion can also get halted. Therefore drink plenty of water to keep your digestive system working smoothly. 

Exercise 

Not vigorous, but gentle exercises can help relieve stomach aches, and especially those that occur due to gas pain. You can try doing stretching exercises that can help relieve stomach aches. 

You can also try walking, cycling, and jogging to relieve stomach pain. However, abstain from too much workout as it can be hurting for preexisting stomach ache. It is always better to consult with a healthcare provider if the complaint of stomach ache persists for a long time.

Try the BRAT Diet 

The BRAT diet is the one that includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It helps relieve stomach aches because you do not consume hard-to-digest food. Since they contain low fiber and do not contain a high amount of salt and spices that often exacerbate stomach pain. Therefore, consuming foods that are easy to digest and low in salt and spices can help relieve stomach aches. 

Peppermint

Peppermint contains menthol that helps relieve stomach aches. It also helps get rid of bloating and flatulence. You can consume peppermint in the form of tea, a drink, gum, or sucking candy. 

Take Medication With Food

Usually, when you take medicines on an empty stomach, they are hard to tolerate, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and often stomach aches. But when you take them with food, your body can tolerate the medicines, and you do not have a complaint of stomach ache.

However, some medicines have to be consumed on an empty stomach. Therefore you should consult with a pharmacist or a doctor about whether you can take that medicine on an empty stomach or not. They can guide you better. You must follow their advice. 

If you have a complaint of long-lasting stomach ache with Zoloft, you should inform your healthcare provider about it. They may prescribe you drugs that can help relieve stomach pain. Often the healthcare providers prescribe an antacid or a proton pump inhibitor with medications that cause gastric upset. 

Ginger

Consuming ginger is often a remedy that can help relieve stomach aches. It helps in getting rid of nausea and upset stomach. 

Ginger contains chemicals known as gingerols and shogaols that help increase your gut motility and digest foods causing indigestion. Therefore you can drink ginger tea or suck it when you have a complaint of indigestion.

Take Your Antidepressant At Night 

When you take your medicine at night, it helps combat its side effects. You can tolerate it well, and you may not have any complaints of stomach ache due to Zoloft. 

Taking the medicine at night can help you tolerate it. However, always consult with the doctor or a pharmacist about it. They can tell you better when you should take it and how to bear its side effects. 

Eat Smaller Meals 

Eating smaller meals can help you digest food well. When you eat large meals, it may cause difficulty in digesting food. Therefore you should make a habit of eating smaller and more frequent meals. It also keeps your gastric acid regurgitation at the bay, and in turn, prevents stomach ache.

When you have two big meals in a day, it may be hard for your stomach to digest the food, which eventually results in indigestion, flatulence, and acidity. Therefore, you should make a habit of eating smaller meals that are easy for your stomach to digest. 

Hot Bath or Hot Pad

Using hot pad therapy or taking a hot bath can be effective to get rid of stomach aches. You can place a hot pad in the affected area where you have pain. However, make sure to wrap it in a cloth or a towel so that it does not hurt. You must be vigilant if the temperature is too hot.

Make sure to take it when it is bearable. A warm shower or a bath can also help relieve stomach pain. However, if it is severe, you must consult with a healthcare provider about it. 

FAQs

Can I get a stomach ache because of Zoloft?

Zoloft had various side effects, and stomach ache is one of them. You can have a complaint of pain in the stomach because of Zoloft. If you have it, you must tell your healthcare provider about it.

Can I take Zoloft for depression?

If you have a complaint of depression, you must consult a healthcare provider. They may prescribe you Zoloft to get rid of it. Do not start taking any medication on your own. Instead, consult with a healthcare provider so they may prescribe you. 

Zoloft is used for which conditions?

Zoloft is mainly used for depression. However, it can also be prescribed for other conditions, such as:

What is the mechanism of action of Zoloft?

Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It increases the levels of serotonin that help elevate your mood and get rid of depression. 

Conclusion

Zoloft stomach pain relief can be obtained through various methods. However, if you have a persistent complaint of stomach ache, you should consult with a healthcare provider. They will decide whether you should take Zoloft or not based on the risk versus benefit ratio.

Sometimes stomach aches may also occur due to other serious reasons that can be even life-threatening. Therefore you must not take the complaint of stomach pain lightly. You must seek professional help for a long-lasting stomach ache.