Increased heart rate on sertraline. Anyone else?

I believe with any new medication or dose change there are side effects. When I had my dosage increased on the sertraline, up from 100 mg to 150 mg, I noticed all sorts of things and yes, an increased heart rate was one of them. I also found that for the first 45 minutes after taking sertealine, I would feel jittery. I'm on week 9 now of the increased dosage and it doesn't do this anymore.

I think your body was trying to stabilize itself on the sertraline and now that you've reduced your dosage it probably won't restabilize for a few weeks again.

I think it probably had more to do with the anxiety of taking the medicine itself. In the beginning I had a little anxiousness about taking it and so I would feel anxious. But yes, I can say that sometimes in the beginning it can make you anxious which in turn increases your pulse rate and makes you feel jittery.

Hi Carole, my experience has been a roller coaster. I am on 50mg zoloft. May 6 will be month 2 for me. It was real hard the first 3 to four weeks, even week 5 was not that great. I would have severe anxiety attacks. This is one of the side effects, in the mean time I get racing heart, it has calmed down though. One morning I woke up and my left one was blurry, it didn't last long. So I went to my doctor the same day and he said not to worry because if it was a side affect I would have had it 3 to 4 hours after taking my pill the day before. I seem to get my anxiety in the morning, just about when my pill is due. I'm slowly putting the pieces together. Mornings are when our cortisol is highest and with my pill from the day before waning off could be the reason for my anxiety. I'm not a doctor but sometimes you have to listen to your inner self. People on this forum is the best so I bet you'll get alot of advice. Hang in there. Hope this helped some.🤔

Zoloft could do either, raise or lower, blood pressure. However, this medication, although of course having the potential, usually does not heighten or raise the blood pressure. More likely, it would lower the blood pressure; again, however, both are not common. You need to ensure that your provider monitors your blood pressure at each visit, and if you notice, anything, that is not a daily normal occurence for yourself or your body, you need to call your provider immediately. Best Wishes.

Sertraline made me very tense..but my no actually lowered..and I have normally high bp which I take meds for.. Was on for 3 months and now switched to citalopram. Good luck! Peace to you...there are many other choices..

I have the same problem. I'm on 50mg and my hypertension comes in the evening. It drives me crazy. 

?I've been on this for two months as well. I still feel the tension side effects at least I think its the side effects. I am clenching my teeth and its painful.  I'm praying that this passes soon. I started taking Melatonin at bedtime and I finally sleep well. I have Ativan  but I don't like to have to take it. 

It's the pills combined with your unique metabolism - you may be a slow metabolizer and building up high levels of serotonin causing some kind of serotonin syndrome. SSRI's may not be for you.

I've been on 50mg for two weeks and have had terrible sweaty nights with no sleep. This week it started occuring every time I would just start dropping off to sleep, only to suddenly wake up with a racing heart and high blood pressure. Last night was insane - blood pressure 184/110 & heart rate 100 all night. I'm quitting.