HomeAnswersInternal MedicinesertralineCan Sertraline cause acid reflux and throat pain?

Can Sertraline cause acid reflux, food choking in the throat, and pain while swallowing?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At March 16, 2023
Reviewed AtOctober 13, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I started taking Sertraline recently because of severe anxiety, IBS, and light indigestion (feeling heavy after meals). Indigestion has subsided, but not anxiety or IBS. The worse effect of that drug was acid reflux as soon as I took the first pill, and it still persists, and it is worse when I am very anxious. And after a week, I started to have a very tight throat and felt like food was stuck in the middle of it before slowly going down. Now, after two weeks since I started Sertraline, all foods just seem to slow down at the bottom of my throat or behind my chest. It hurts sometimes. I am dying of anxiety and terribly frightened of having esophageal cancer. Are these symptoms due to Sertraline?

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

This is most likely anxiety related. It cannot be esophageal cancer as there were no symptoms before medicine, and the symptoms are too rapidly progressive for cancer. Usually, it does increase in weeks, but not two weeks. I suggest adding tablet Pantoprazole 40 mg once in the morning, half an hour before food, which can help.

I hope this has addressed your concern.

Kind regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Saumya Mittal
Dr. Saumya Mittal

Internal Medicine

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