From the Guidelines
Yes, sertraline can cause facial rashes in some people, although the provided evidence does not specifically mention sertraline as a cause of facial rashes, it does discuss skin reactions as potential side effects of SSRIs, the class of medications to which sertraline belongs. Skin reactions are known side effects of SSRIs, which are commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety disorders, and other conditions. These rashes may appear as red patches, hives, or other skin eruptions on the face or elsewhere on the body. According to 1, most adverse effects of SSRIs, including skin reactions, emerge within the first few weeks of treatment. If you develop a facial rash while taking sertraline, you should contact your healthcare provider promptly, especially if it's severe, spreading quickly, or accompanied by other symptoms like fever, swelling, or difficulty breathing, which could indicate a serious allergic reaction. Don't stop taking sertraline suddenly without medical advice, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor might recommend antihistamines or topical treatments for mild rashes, or they might adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication if the reaction is concerning. Some key points to consider when taking sertraline include:
- Monitoring for suicidal thinking and behavior, especially in the first months of treatment and following dosage adjustments, as noted in 1
- Being aware of the potential for behavioral activation/agitation, which may occur early in treatment or with dose increases, as discussed in 1
- Understanding that serotonin syndrome can be triggered by combining serotonergic medications, and recognizing its symptoms, such as mental status changes, neuromuscular hyperactivity, and autonomic hyperactivity, as described in 1 It's essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage any side effects and ensure the safe and effective use of sertraline.
From the FDA Drug Label
Disorders of Skin and Appendages Rash 3% 2%
Yes, a facial rash can occur with sertraline, as the drug label mentions "rash" as a possible adverse event, but it does not specifically mention "facial rash". However, it can be inferred that a rash can occur on any part of the body, including the face. 2
From the Research
Facial Rash with Sertraline
- Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), can cause dermal side reactions, including facial rashes, as reported in several case studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- A case report published in 2004 described a 46-year-old man who developed an itching rash after eating chocolate while taking sertraline, suggesting that some individuals may be sensitive to increases in serotonin concentrations 3.
- Another case report published in 2024 described a 24-year-old male who developed facial hyperpigmentation after increasing his sertraline dosage to 100 mg/day, which resolved after reducing the dose and adding other medications 4.
- Cross-sensitivity between sertraline and other SSRIs, such as paroxetine, has been reported in several cases, with patients experiencing similar skin reactions to different medications 5, 6, 7.
- These cases suggest that patients who experience a dermatologic reaction to one SSRI may be at risk of experiencing a similar reaction to another SSRI, even if the medications have different chemical structures 5, 6, 7.