All About the Drug Zoloft
Zoloft is a drug that is used as an antidepressant. It is constituted under the SSRI group of drugs or the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Zoloft affects the chemicals in our brain that might become unbalanced and lead to depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive symptoms and panic disorders.
Zoloft is used in the treatment of depression, panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD post traumatic stress disorder, and PMDD premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Zoloft might even be used for other purposes that are not listed here.
Zoloft Details
Zoloft is a drug that should not be taken with Orap pimozide or monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOI including Marplan isocarboxazid, Nardil phenelzine, Azilect rasagiline, Emsam or Eldepryl selegiline or Parnate tranylcypromine. You should wait for about 14 days once the MAOI has been stopped before taking Zoloft. Once you stop taking the drug, you should wait for a period of 14 days before taking the MAOI.
People less than 24 years of age can have suicidal thoughts when they start taking the antidepressant. Zoloft is approved by the FDA for kids who are diagnosed with OCD obsessive compulsive disorders. It is a drug which is not recommended for treating children’s depression. Check with your doctor by paying regular visits for the initial 12 weeks within treatment. Call the doctor immediately if you experience worsening or new symptoms such as the following:
| Insomnia | |
| Panic attacks | |
| Irritation | |
| Changes in mood or behavior | |
| Aggression | |
| Hostile | |
| Restlessness | |
| Mental or physical hyperactivity | |
| Depression | |
| Suicidal or hurtful tendencies | |
SSRI antidepressants can cause life threatening or serious lung problems especially in newborn kids if their mothers take the drug during their pregnancy. There may however be a relapse in depression once you stop consuming the drug during the course of your pregnancy. In case you are looking to get pregnant or in case you conceive while consuming Zoloft, you should consult your doctor before stopping the medication.
What to Ask Your Health Expert before Taking Zoloft
You should not use Zoloft drug if you are on Orap pimozide or monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOI including Marplan isocarboxazid, Nardil phenelzine, Azilect rasagiline, Emsam or Eldepryl selegiline or Parnate tranylcypromine. Fatal or serious reactions may occur when Zoloft is taken along with the above mentioned medications. Wait for about 14 days after ceasing the MAOI before you take sertraline. Once you stop consuming Zoloft, you should wait for 14 days before taking the MAOI. Your doctor should be informed before you take Zoloft if you are having any of the following symptoms:
| Manic depression or bipolar disorders | |
| Epilepsy or seizures | |
| Kidney or liver trouble | |
| History of suicidal thoughts or drug abuse | |
If there are any of the above conditions, you might require a dose alteration or special tests for taking the drug safely. The thoughts of suicide may occur when you start taking the medication, and this is true if you are less than 24. Tell the doctor if there are symptoms of depression that is worsening or thoughts of suicide in the initial weeks of healing or if the dosage is altered.
Caregivers or your family members should stay alert to the changes or mood swings or other symptoms. The doctor will need checking you with regular visits for the initial 12 weeks while you are being treated with Zoloft.
Category C Pregnancy according to the FDA: The SSRI antidepressants may lead to life threatening or serious pulmonary problems in newborn children whose moms take the drug during pregnancy. In case you want to plan a pregnancy or in case you get pregnant while you are taking Zoloft, consult the doctor before stopping the medication. It is unknown whether sertraline gets passed into the breast milk or whether it harms a nursing child. The medication should not be used without informing the doctor in case you are suckling your baby.
The medicine should not be given to children aged under 18 years without taking the advice of the doctor. Zoloft is approved by the FDA for kids who have OCD obsessive compulsive disorder. It is not recommended for dealing with kids who have depression.
Zoloft Side Effects
If on using Zoloft you feel any of the following allergic reactions, you should get emergency clinical help:
| Hives | |
| Skin rashes | |
| Difficulty of breath | |
| Swelling on throat, face, lips and tongue | |
Call the doctor if the symptoms are new or they are worsening like the following:
| Mood swings or behavior changes | |
| Panic attacks | |
| Irritation, hostility, insomnia | |
| Impulsion | |
| Depression | |
| Thoughts of suicide or hurting the self | |
You should see a doctor if Zoloft gives you any of the following side effects:
| Extremely stiff or rigid muscles, perspiration, sweating, uneven or fast heartbeat, overactive reflex, tremors | |
| Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, feeling of unsteadiness, loss or coordination, lack of appetite | |
| Problem in concentrating, headaches, problems remembering things, confusion, weakness, seizures, fainting, hallucination, shallow or stoppage in breathing | |
The less serious side effects of Zoloft may incorporate:
| Dizziness, tiredness or drowsiness | |
| Mild nausea, constipation, stomach upset, stomach aches | |
| Changes in weight or appetite | |
| Dry mouth | |
| Insomnia or sleep related problems | |
| Reduced sexual urge, tough orgasms or impotence | |
The above list is not a total one and you may encounter other side effects while having Zoloft. In that case, you need to get in touch with your physician or report the side effects of the drug at 1800-FDA-1088.
