There is a small connection between sertraline and memory loss, according to the reported side effects of the treatment. Memory loss is a rare side effect of sertraline, but it is among the many side effects that are possible when taking the drug. The rarity of this side effect is why any patient who experiences memory loss after taking sertraline should discuss it with his or her doctor. More common side effects include nausea and insomnia, and many other rare side effects exist. Sertraline and memory loss are rarely connected, so it could be indicative of a very negative reaction to the treatment.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drug primarily designed to combat depression in patients. Sertraline also can be prescribed for other conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, but it primarily is an anti-depressant. The drug works by preventing nerves that release the neurotransmitter serotonin from taking it back up again right away. Doctors believe that an imbalance in the levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters within the brain is the cause of depression, and by preventing the reuptake of serotonin, there is believed to be more available to stimulate other nerves in the brain. This should result in an overall improvement in the mood of the patient.
Sertraline and memory loss are linked through the long list of possible side effects of the treatment. Common side effects caused by sertraline include insomnia, dizziness and decreased libido, and these side effects should be reported to a doctor only if they are particularly persistent or severe. One of the most common side effects, insomnia, is reported in about 30 percent of patients. Less common side effects of sertraline are likely to be more serious, and these include decreased concentration or coordination, suicidal thoughts and panic attacks. The importance of the link between sertraline and memory loss is because it is on the list of rare and possibly serious side effects.
Clinical trials have studied the effects of sertraline and determined the chances of side effects occurring in patients. These trials have shown nausea, diarrhea and insomnia to be among the most likely side effects but haven’t recognized a link between sertraline and memory loss. The least-likely side effect reported in clinical trials is the decreased libido, occurring in about 1 percent of patients. Sertraline and memory loss are linked because patients have reported the side effect, but studies indicate that the likelihood of it occurring are less than 1 percent.
