In this blog, we will talk about zoloft induced frequent urination. It is one of the side effects of zoloft and it seems to affect children too. We will discuss why zoloft makes you pee more and what could be done to avoid it.

Does zoloft cause frequent urination?

Zoloft is associated with frequent urination. People taking zoloft have experienced urinary incontinence just after a week or two on zoloft. It’s probably because the serotonin receptors are found in your urinary tract as well.

When SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin in your body, the excess serotonin binds to almost all of its receptors, present throughout the entire body. This stimulation of serotonin in the urinary tract can result in frequent urination or urinary incontinence.

Data from research studies

A 2017 research study included 202 men, with 90 men in the control group and the remaining men in the test group who were already receiving zoloft. The study concluded that approximately 28% men on sertraline (zoloft) showed signs of bladder over activity and increased urination.

Another 2007 study revealed that a few women on sertraline were found to be struggling with urinary retention, which led to the discontinuation of treatment. They recovered from side effects within a few weeks of zoloft withdrawal.

One 2002 study was based on the evaluation of zoloft induced urinary problems in new zoloft users. Thousands of people were monitored and the study concluded that around 14 to 15 people out of 1000 developed urinary problems.

This side effect was found to be more common in geriatric (elderly) population, who were a part of this research study. Another study monitored the urinary side effects of SSRIs on children.

It concluded that frequent urination is a common side effect among children and is associated with bedwetting at night. The study also revealed that zoloft has a dose-dependent relationship with its side effects.

Adults or children on higher doses are more likely to suffer from zoloft induced urinary problems as compared to those on much lower doses.

Make sure you discuss with your healthcare provider that the current dose you’re on is indeed the best possible dose for you at the moment. If it’s not, your doctor will tone it down a little, to provide ease from side effects.

What could be done?

There are a few things that you can do if you suffer from zoloft induced frequent urination:

Discuss your side effects with your healthcare provider

It is extremely important to discuss your side effects with your healthcare provider as soon as you start experiencing them. It’s best to do this before lowering the dose or stopping the medication yourself.

If you suffer from mild side effects, it’s better to keep taking your medication on time and there is no need to lower down the dose. If you suffer from uncontrollably frequent urination, you need to discuss if your dose is right for you.

The treatment with antidepressants does not come easy, but if you give your body enough time to adjust to the med, trust me, it’s worth it. Your side effects will surely begin to subside within a few weeks.

Take zoloft in the morning

If you or your child suffer from zoloft induced frequent urination, make sure you take it in the morning.

This way, the side effect would be stronger during the day time but when you go to sleep at night, the concentration of zoloft would be minimal in your body, thus producing minimal side effects.

This can avoid possible bedwetting at night, especially in case of children.

Drink more water during the day, but not before bedtime

It’s best to stay hydrated as water has tremendous health benefits but make sure you drink 75% of your daily water intake during the day time and start toning it down a notch at night.

It is not recommended to drink plenty of water before bedtime. In case of frequent urination, excess water intake at night can easily result in bedwetting and can disturb your sleep quality.

Do not hold your urine

In case of frequent urge to urinate, it is better to go to do it then hold it in. Researchers suggest that when you hold your urine, you’re making yourself more susceptible to urinary tract infections. It could also weaken your bladder muscles and cause further complications.

Make sure your electrolytes are balanced

Too much urination with an unhealthy diet and less water intake can lead to electrolyte imbalance. These electrolytes carry out a variety of functions in our body like muscle contraction, energy production etc.

Make sure you maintain a healthy diet, rich in nutrients and electrolytes so you don’t miss out on anything.

Check for any unusual smell or color in your urine

In frequent urination caused by zoloft, the urine is usually colorless and does not have any particular smell, but if your urine is usually dark in color or has any significant smell, you need to reach out to your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying health condition.

Stop smoking

Frequent smoking can worsen the symptoms of urine incontinence. It could also make overactive bladder condition even worse. Make sure you cut back as much as you possibly can.

If you’re a chain smoker, you should try smoking cessation therapies which physically and mentally prepare you to quit smoking.

Avoid certain foods and drinks

In case of frequent urination, make sure you avoid following foods and drinks:

Too much salt
Citric acid, usually present in citrus fruits and drinks
Acetic acid, usually present in white vinegar
Alcohol
Carbonated drinks
Caffeine, usually present in tea and coffee
Too much spice.

These foods can make your symptoms even worse. So, reduce their intake as much as you can, even if they are your favorite foods. It’s better safe than sorry, right?

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Is there anything that a healthy lifestyle can’t fix? I don’t think so! Add wholesome foods to your diet, foods that are capable of feeding your brain, strengthening your muscles and boosting your immunity.

Rule out any underlying health condition

It is crucial to ask your doctor to rule out any underlying health condition that might contribute to frequent urination without even you knowing about it. These conditions include:

Any type of urinary tract infection
Kidney disease
Benign prostate hyperplasia in men
Diabetes mellitus
Pregnancy
Vaginal infections
Certain tumors

Make sure your doctor rules out every other possible cause of frequent urination and is certain that indeed zoloft is the one causing it. Always look out for other side effects as well to make sure if it’s your antidepressant or something else hiding behind it.

Supplements that might help

Researchers suggest a few supplements that can help with your frequent urination. These include:

Capsaicin, which is commonly found in different types of chillies, is known to provide relief in symptoms associated with urinary incontinence.
Vitamin D. Experts revealed the role of Vitamin D in keeping your bladder muscles strong. It can also prevent bladder leaking, especially in older adults.
Pumpkin seeds, which are known to be helpful in toning down symptoms associated with overactive bladder. It can also help prevent bedwetting at night.

Other medications responsible for causing frequent urination

There are several other medications which are responsible for causing frequent urination. These include:

Antihistamines or anti-allergy medications.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Calcium channel blockers
Antipsychotics
Antidiabetic agents
Diuretics

Note: Diuretics are meant to increase urination but make sure you’re not taking it concomitantly with a drug which is capable of causing frequent urination as a side effect.

Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed zoloft induced frequent urination in detail. We learned about it in the light of various research studies based on different test subjects.

They all concluded that zoloft can indeed induce frequent urination, urinary incontinence and it can even cause urine retention in some people. Medications react with people and their pre-existing conditions.

A normal individual can surely suffer from such side effects but those who have an underlying condition, are more likely to suffer from such side effects.

Just make sure your healthcare provider knows about your side effects and is certain that the drug is at its best possible dose for you at the moment. In case of side effects, it is not recommended to reduce your dose or stop your antidepressant on your own.

FAQs:zoloft frequent urination

Can sertraline affect urination?

Yes, sertraline can affect urination. Several researches suggest that sertraline is associated with frequent urination, urinary incontinence and in some patients, it can even result in urine retention.

Can Zoloft cause bladder retention?

Yes, zoloft can cause bladder retention but this side effect is rare. More common urinary side effects include frequent urination or urinary incontinence. These side effects are more common in children and older adults.

Can sertraline cause overactive bladder?

Yes, sertraline can cause overactive bladder. Studies suggest that this side effect is more commonly experienced by men taking zoloft as compared to women.

Can sertraline cause bed wetting?

Sertraline induced frequent urination can cause bedwetting in children and in people who have weak bladder control, often because of the weakening of bladder muscles.

What drugs make you pee a lot?

There are several other medications which are responsible for causing frequent urination. These include:

Antihistamines or anti-allergy medications.
Antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Calcium channel blockers
Antipsychotics
Antidiabetic agents
Diuretics

What are the most common side effects of Zoloft?

Common side effects of Zoloft include:

Loss of appetite
Tiredness
Feeling angry or agitated
Weight gain
Inability to digest food
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Loss of libido
Sweating/Night sweats
Tremors or shaking
Insomnia
Decreased sex drive
Impotence
Inability to ejaculate

Zoloft, sometimes, causes serious side effects. Consult your healthcare provider as soon as you can if these symptoms occur:

Seizure/convulsions
Eye pain with vision problems
Headache
Confusion
Agitation
Memory problems/Dementia
Severe weakness and inability to move

References

Volkan Solmaz, Sebahattin Albayrak, and Fikret Erdemir (2017) – Evaluation of Overactive Bladder in Male Antidepressant Users: A Prospective Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5380822/#!po=1.56250
L Lowenstein et al. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. (2007) – Urinary hesitancy and retention during treatment with sertraline https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17089079/#:~:text=Serotonergic%20neurons%20are%20involved%20at,patients%20presenting%20with%20voiding%20difficulties.
K L L Movig et al. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. (2002) – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced urinary incontinence https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12138594/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A%20Exposure%20to%20SSRIs%20is,are%20at%20the%20highest%20risk.
Sidra Chaudhry & Nisha Alex – Case series suggesting an association between Sertraline and urinary side effects In A Sheffield Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) population https://www.bjmp.org/content/case-series-suggesting-association-between-sertraline-and-urinary-side-effects-sheffield-child-and-adolescent-mental-h-0
4 Drugs Linked to Urinary Incontinence – https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/4-medications-that-cause-or-worsen-incontinence
Suchai Soontrapa et al. J Med Assoc Thai. (2003) – The efficacy of Thai capsaicin in management of overactive bladder and hypersensitive bladder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14649971/

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Does zoloft cause frequent urination? (A detailed guide)