Antidepressant Sweating: Why It Happens and What You Can Do

When you start taking an antidepressant, a medication used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders by balancing brain chemicals, your body doesn’t just adjust to better mood control—it might start sweating more than usual. This isn’t just being hot or stressed. It’s a real, documented side effect called hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating not caused by heat or physical activity, and it’s especially common with SSRIs, a class of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels in the brain like sertraline, fluoxetine, and escitalopram. About 20% of people on these meds report sweating more, even in cool rooms or while sitting still.

Why does this happen? Serotonin doesn’t just affect your mood—it also controls your sweat glands. When SSRIs boost serotonin, they accidentally overstimulate the part of your nervous system that triggers sweating. It’s not dangerous by itself, but it can be embarrassing, disruptive, and sometimes a sign of something more serious like serotonin syndrome, a rare but life-threatening reaction from too much serotonin in the body. If you’re sweating heavily, shaking, confused, or have a fast heartbeat, get help right away. But if it’s just steady, mild sweating? You’re not alone, and there are ways to manage it.

Some people find relief by switching to an antidepressant that’s less likely to cause sweating, like bupropion. Others lower their dose slightly under their doctor’s care, or add a low-dose anticholinergic like glycopyrrolate. Even simple changes—wearing breathable fabrics, keeping your bedroom cool, or avoiding caffeine and spicy foods—can help. Don’t stop your medication because of this. Talk to your doctor. They’ve seen this before, and they know how to balance mood stability with comfort. Below, you’ll find real insights from people who’ve lived through this side effect, along with clear advice on what works, what doesn’t, and when to push for a change.