SSRIs treat depression by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that carry signals between brain nerve cells (neurons). SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons.
Zoloft belongs to a group of medicines called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are thought to work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin by nerves, leading to an increase in serotonin concentrations within the nerve synapse (space between two nerves).
Sertraline works by increasing the levels of a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin in your brain. It helps many people recover from depression, and has fewer unwanted side effects than older antidepressants.
Zoloft (sertraline chloride) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, OCD, social anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Zoloft works by balancing the levels of serotonin, a hormone that controls mood, in the brain.
Which Medications Cause Serotonin Syndrome? Drugs and supplements that if taken together or in high doses could lead to serotonin syndrome include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft)
Sertraline (Zoloft) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), but, uniquely among most antidepressants, it shows relatively high (nanomolar) affinity for the DAT as well. As such, it has been suggested that clinically it may weakly inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, particularly at high dosages.
Zoloft is a brand of medicine called sertraline used to treat mood disorders. This oral medication belongs to a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs help improve mood by blocking the reabsorption of the hormone and the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressants, and they work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. They are also sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety and other conditions.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOIs are a class of antidepressants believed to increase levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine (another neurotransmitter) in the brain. They are effective for the treatment of the major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders.
Sertraline increases extracellular levels not only of serotonin, but also of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and striatum of rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2010 Nov 25;647(1-3):90-6. doi: 10.1016/j.
Increased Serotonin Release: Some drugs that increase serotonin release are dextromethorphan, meperidine, methadone, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (also known as MDMA or ecstasy), and mirtazapine.
Common side effects during the first week or two of taking Zoloft include nausea, headache, fatigue, and constipation. These side effects should go away once your body gets used to the medication.
If the symptoms develop later or gradually, they may constitute a relapse of the depression. Ultimately, these withdrawal symptoms will improve with time, but they can be unpleasant for days and possibly even weeks. In time, the brain readjusts and people should experience a return to their normal state.
“Your sertraline is working if you feel calmer. Your negative moods or anxiety will not be as intense. You should be enjoying activities more. And your sleeping and eating habits should be more stable,” says Doughty.
It is well known that harms caused by SSRIs can be long-lasting [18] and there are indications that they can even be permanent, e.g. for sexual disturbances [39, 40]. Withdrawal symptoms are also drug harms, and they can also persist for a long time [18].
To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of sertraline. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed.
Medications that doctors currently use to treat depression do not improve brain fog symptoms and can actually make them worse.
SSRI antidepressants are sometimes associated with emotional blunting. This can also include such symptoms as feeling indifferent or apathetic, being less able to cry and less able to experience the same degree of positive emotion as one normally would.
Although this is beneficial for someone who's depressed, for someone who does not have depression, taking antidepressant medication can cause serotonin to build up in the body, resulting in serotonin syndrome. When serotonin levels are too high, the person may experience symptoms like: Agitation or restlessness.
In children and adolescents ages 6-18, Zoloft is used to treat OCD. The safety and effectiveness of Zoloft has not been established to treat any other condition in children and adolescents under age 18. Zoloft is not an FDA-approved ADHD medication. Physicians may recommend a reduced dose for adults over age 65.
Bupropion is unique among antidepressants as an inhibitor of dopamine reuptake, leading to increased dopamine levels in the synapse.
Serotonin syndrome occurs when someone has an excess of the neurotransmitter serotonin in their nervous system. The condition's symptoms generally fall into three categories: Altered mental status (irritability, agitation, restlessness, and anxiety)
If you're taking antidepressant medication and you either feel unusually elated, or you become very terse with your loved ones, feel noticeably more irritable, or have an uncharacteristic bout of rage, then it's likely that your antidepressant dose is too high.