Since Zoloft is a long-term medication, there is no inherent danger in taking it for months or even years. However, since it's a mind-altering drug, it can cause dependence. When a person becomes unable to feel normal or get through the day without taking Zoloft, they've become dependent on the medication.
Withdrawal symptoms of Zoloft include headache, nausea, mood changes, sweating, tremors and seizures. You may be able to avoid Zoloft withdrawal symptoms by gradually tapering off the medication. Talk therapy, exercise and a diet omitting foods that promote jitteriness can help you manage withdrawal symptoms.
Missed or extra doses
It's important not to miss any of your doses, as this could make your treatment less effective. You may also get withdrawal symptoms as a result of missing a dose of the medicine. If you do miss 1 of your doses, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Your doctor will advise you how long to take sertraline for, as it depends on why you are taking it. For depression it might be six months, for OCD it might be 12 months and for other anxiety related conditions such as PTSD and panic disorder it might be up to 18 months.
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.
A common side effect is Zoloft weight gain. Not everyone experiences sertraline weight gain. Much of the time, research shows that body weight gain is modest or temporary. That said, it's still important to understand the potential side effect and discuss it with your doctor before starting treatment.
For most people, sertraline is safe to take for a long time. A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried.
Zoloft is typically used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for anxiety disorders, which may also include therapy, lifestyle changes, and other medications. Zoloft may be especially helpful for certain types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Also referred to as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, Zoloft withdrawal causes flu-like symptoms. Many patients report feelings of discomfort, nausea, irritability, body aches, dizziness, and other more serious symptoms.
This is one of the more common myths associated with the condition. You do not need to take antidepressants forever nor do you need to get a prescription from a counselor or therapist. During your first few sessions, you'll have the chance to talk about your needs and find out whether antidepressants can help.
Do not use sertraline with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), linezolid (Zyvox®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), methylene blue injection, tryptophan, St John's wort, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).
Zoloft (sertraline) "For those suffering from OCD, bad thoughts, overthinking, depression, terrible headaches, give ZOLOFT a chance. First month don't expect much.
Because SSRIs cause more serotonin to remain in circulation in the brain, the individual experiences less depressive symptoms. In fact, many people report feeling completely back to normal when taking these medications.
The starting Zoloft dosage for depression in adults is 50 mg by mouth once daily. If needed, your healthcare provider may raise your dose by 25 mg to 50 mg per day once a week until you find the dose that works best for you. The maximum recommended dosage is 200 mg once daily.
Clinical Relevance: Brain zaps are a common symptom of antidepressant withdrawal. Patients stepping down from antidepressants often describe a sensation that feels like a series of electrical shocks that send a shiver through the brain.
Perhaps the most recognizable among them is Prozac (fluoxetine). It's still the best option for many people, but since it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987, Prozac has been joined by a variety of other antidepressant medications.
SSRIs are usually the first choice medicine for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant.
SSRIs are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants. They're usually preferred over other antidepressants, as they cause fewer side effects.
It simply means that your body has either not yet adjusted to the new antidepressant or that the medication may need to be tweaked to reduce the anxiety response.
You can take it either in the morning or evening, depending on your lifestyle and any side effects you experience. For example, if sertraline makes you drowsy, taking it at night might be your best choice. It's important that you establish a set time to take this medication every day and follow that schedule.
Dosage and strength
Sertraline is available as 25mg, 50mg or 100mg tablets. The usual dose of sertraline is 50mg a day in adults. But your doctor may start you on a lower dose, then increase it gradually to a maximum dose of 200mg a day. If you have liver problems, your doctor might give you a lower dose.
“If you're taking antidepressants to manage an anxiety disorder, caffeine can directly counteract the effect of the antidepressants or make anxiety worse,” Dr. Netherton says. Also? Caffeine and antidepressants may also make you more prone to your medication's side effects.
You are feeling better, and you and the doctor agree that it is time to stop. You have been taking the medicine for at least 6 months after you feel better. You are having counselling to help you cope with problems and help change how you think and feel. You are not worried about the depression coming back.
The prescribing information for Zoloft says not to drink alcohol while taking it. This is also true for other SSRIs.