What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Zoloft
You should not use sertraline if you are allergic to it, or if you also take pimozide. Do not use the liquid form of sertraline if you take disulfiram .
Do not use sertraline within 14 days before or 14 days after using an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.
Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with sertraline could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- bipolar disorder ;
- heart disease, high blood pressure, or a stroke;
- liver or kidney disease;
- bleeding problems, or if you take warfarin ;
- long QT syndrome; or
- low levels of sodium in your blood.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Sertraline is approved for use in children at least 6 years old, only to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder but not depression.
Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop sertraline without asking your doctor.
How Many People Use Sertraline
Sertraline is a popular SSRI medication on the market. According to Statista, as of 2017, there were more than;37 million prescriptions for sertraline in the United States, making it the 14th most prescribed medication in the country.
And according to;one study based on statistics from the 2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, sertraline was the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the country by far.
Side Effects Of Using Zoloft
Apart from its required effects, a particular medicine may also cause some side effects. Though not all of these unwanted effects may occur to everyone, but if they occur then may need some medical attentions. The most common side effects of using Zoloft are the followings:
- Failure to discharge semen for male.
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Learn More About Sertraline
While many of the side effects listed above can look alarming, its worth remembering that most people who use sertraline either experience no side effects at all, or light, transient side effects that disappear as they become accustomed to the medication.;
You should not take sertraline if you have glaucoma, history of heart problems, or are breastfeeding.
For the vast majority of users, its a safe, effective and important medication that provides real benefits.
However, in addition to the side effects listed above, sertraline can potentially have drug interactions with a wide range of other medications and substances, like combining alcohol and sertraline, monoamine oxidase inhibitors , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, or even St. John’s Wort.
Use of sertraline with other SSRIs could lead to an increased risk of a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Our Sertraline 101 Guide goes into more detail on sertraline interactions.;
Be sure to discuss all drugs you are taking, including over-the-counter medicine, with your healthcare professional before taking sertraline.
Do not stop taking sertraline without seeking medical advice.;
Abruptly ending sertraline before your next dose could lead to serious withdrawal symptoms, including eye pain, nausea, headaches, irritability, nightmares, or suicidal thoughts.
Sertraline And Weight Gain: The Basics
SSRIs and other antidepressants have long been associated with changes in body composition and weight gain.
Although newer antidepressants such as sertraline arent as closely associated with weight gain as older drugs, research does show that theres a link between sertraline use and an increase in body mass.;
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2016, researchers compared different antidepressants to assess their effects on body mass.
Sertraline was one of several drugs linked to weight gain, with users of the drug experiencing a modest weight gain over the course of two years when compared with the reference treatment Fluoxetine, a first-generation SSRI.
Although this study isnt perfect , it does show that sertraline can, and often does, contribute to weight gain.
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How To Use Zoloft
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using sertraline and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily either in the morning or evening. The tablet or liquid form of this medication may be taken with or without food. The capsule form is usually taken with food. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules.
The liquid form of this medication must be mixed with another liquid before use. Just before taking, carefully measure the dose using the medicine dropper provided. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Mix the dose with a half cup of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. Do not use other liquids to mix this drug. The mixture may appear cloudy, which is normal and harmless. Drink all of the mixture right away. Do not prepare a supply in advance.
If you are taking this medication for premenstrual problems, your doctor may direct you to take this drug every day of the month or for only the 2 weeks before your period until the start of your period.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
More Common Side Effects
The adult side effects for this drug are slightly different from the side effects for children. Side effects for adults and children can include:
- nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and indigestion
- change in sleep habits, including increased sleepiness and insomnia
- increased sweating
- aggressiveness
- heavy menstrual periods
- slowed growth rate and weight change. You should closely watch your childs height and weight while they take this drug.
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If theyre more severe or dont go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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Warnings For Other Groups
For pregnant women: This drug is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:
Talk to your doctor if youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.
For women who are breastfeeding: This drug may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk for side effects. If you are over the age of 65 years, you may be at higher risk for developing muscle problems while taking this drug, including low salt levels in the blood .
For children: This medication has not been studied in children as a treatment for major depressive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It should not be used for these disorders in people younger than 18 years.
How To Use Sertraline For Premature Ejaculation
As the studies linked above show, sertraline can be used as needed or daily as an effective premature ejaculation treatment.
Like with other medications, theres no best way to use sertraline for PE. The most effective approach is to follow your doctors instructions and take your prescribed sertraline dosage as needed or on a daily basis.
Most of the time, it takes a few weeks for sertraline to become fully effective. In the studies linked above, most men experienced the biggest improvement in ejaculation latency after using sertraline for four weeks.
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Risks To Unborn Babies
You should inform your doctor if you become pregnant on Zoloft or are planning a pregnancy. Zoloft use in the third trimester may increase a baby’s chance of developing complications like a rare condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension, which can cause breathing problems. In addition, third-trimester use of Zoloft may cause neonatal withdrawal symptoms.
However, some women may need to continue taking Zoloft during pregnancy because the benefit of treating their illness outweighs the potential risks. Overall, this decision requires a careful and thoughtful discussion with both an obstetrician and mental health professional.;
Low levels of Zoloft may be present in breast milk, so lactating mothers should consult with their doctors before nursing while taking this medication. The choice of whether or not to breastfeed should be weighed against the mother’s need for Zoloft.
What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking sertraline.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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What About Sertraline Dosage Forms And Strengths
Sertraline is available as a tablet and as an oral solution. The tablet is the most common version of the medication.
Sertraline also comes in tablet form. Generally, sertraline dosage comes in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets. Sertraline dosage in liquid is sold in a 20mg/mL concentration. Both versions of sertraline are designed for use once per day based on your doctors instructions.
Metabolic And Endocrine Symptoms
Serotonin affects various mechanisms that are involved in body energy control.
The metabolic and endocrine problems may be manifested in the form of:
- Increased appetite and weight gain Serotonin plays a role in setting the bodys overall metabolic rate. It may also lead to an increase in appetite and consequent Zoloft weight gain.
- Weight loss Weight loss may occur when the increased levels of the neurotransmitter lead to a loss of the bodys adipose tissue.
- Increased risk of bone fracturing Excess of the neurotransmitter causes a reduction in bone mass. Hence, administering high doses of sertraline may predispose one to frequent bone fractures.
- Excessive sweating and/or night sweats By interfering with the actions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increased serotonin levels may alter numerous processes in the body. A common manifestation of this effect is excessive sweating. Night sweats are thus common in people taking this drug.
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Is It Safe To Take Sertraline While Breastfeeding
Sertraline is one of those SSRIs that are considered safe to be used during breastfeeding. Based on this research about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding, it was established that little to no traces of the medicine get passed on in breast milk. However, there are some instances where it was shown that this drug might be passed in breast milk.
Usually, sertraline is started on a low dose during breastfeeding, and the infant is monitored for any problems such as irritability, sleep problems, or poor feeding. In the case of any adverse reaction, the doctor may lower the dose further or devise a schedule in which breastfeeding should be avoided at the times when the antidepressant milk concentration is at its peak.
Also, in case of any adverse reaction, one should not think about quitting sertraline medication without consulting a doctor as it can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and relapse. The doctor would weigh the benefits of continuing the medicine with the suspected problems on the infant before deciding whether to lower or stop the dosage.
Dosage In Patients With Pmdd
The recommended starting ZOLOFT dosage in adult women with PMDD is 50 mg per day. ZOLOFT may be administered either continuously or intermittently . Intermittent dosing would be repeated with each new cycle.
- When dosing continuously, patients not responding to a 50 mg dosage may benefit from dosage increases at 50 mg increments per menstrual cycle up to 150 mg per day.
- When dosing intermittently, patients not responding to a 50 mg dosage may benefit from increasing the dosage up to a maximum of 100 mg per day during the next menstrual cycle as follows: 50 mg per day during the first 3 days of dosing followed by 100 mg per day during the remaining days in the dosing cycle.
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Is It Possible To Lose Weight On Sertraline
Yes. Although sertraline and other SSRIs are linked to weight gain, monitoring your food intake can allow you to lose weight or maintain your current weight while using sertraline.
About 25 percent of people who use SSRIs notice some level of weight gain. While researchers arent fully aware of what causes weight gain happens on SSRIs, some professionals claim that SSRI medications may interfere with peoples ability to;switch off their urge to eat.
Despite this, theres no evidence that sertraline affects your bodys metabolism and causes you to use fewer calories than normal. This means that you may lose or gain weight as you normally would by adjusting your calorie intake or activity level.
If you notice weight gain after starting sertraline and feel concerned, its best to let your doctor know when you next see them. Our guide to sertraline and weight gain also contains several techniques that you can use to avoid unwanted weight gain while using sertraline.
Zoloft Making Anxiety Worse Is It Worth It
Therook
Ive read around and understand that zoloft can have some side effects at the very beginning which may cause an increase in anxiety and such, but I’m not sure this is going to be worth it for me.
A few days ago i suffered from a crazy panic attack, which prompted me to go to the doctors and get prescribed zoloft for my anxiety as well as another medication for irritable bowel syndrome.
I had taken the IBS medication last night, and it provided almost instant relief for my stomach, which in turn made my anxiety go way down. I woke up this morning and felt fantastic compared to how ive been since the panic attack, but then i took the first zoloft and almost immedietly my anxiety came back, i got really tired, became very unmotivated to do anything, completely lost my appetite, and feel nauseas again which infuriates me because the IBS medicine just fixed my nausea and now zoloft has brought it back.
This is very troubling for me because I’m supposed to be getting my first real job, im supposed to be saving up to move out of my parents house, im supposed to start college in the fall, and im sort of an entrepreneur on the side which requires me to be very creative and out going.
Obviously i am going to speak with my doctor before any final decision is made, but would like to hear input from others who may have gone through something similar.
1 like, 13 replies
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Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Zoloft if you are allergic to sertraline, or if you also take pimozide. Do not use Zoloft oral solution if you take disulfiram .
Do not use Zoloft within 14 days before or 14 days after using an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.
Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with sertraline could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
To make sure Zoloft is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
-
long QT syndrome; or
-
low levels of sodium in your blood.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Zoloft is approved for use in children at least 6 years old, only to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder but not depression.
Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop Zoloft without asking your doctor.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using Zoloft .
How Is This Drug Best Taken
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Tablets:
- Take with or without food.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Capsules:
- Take this drug with food.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Oral solution:
- Only use the measuring device that comes with this liquid drug.
- Mix liquid with 1/2 cup of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice.
- After mixing, take your dose right away. Do not store for future use.
- This drug may look hazy after mixing. This is normal.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
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