Generic Name: sertraline (SER tra leen)
Brand Names: Zoloft
Important Information: Zoloft
- While you are taking Zoloft you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts especially at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment. Do not stop taking medication without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and you may experience unpleasant side effects if you stop taking medicine suddenly.
What is Zoloft
- In a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic or anxiety, obsessive or compulsive symptoms, or other psychiatric symptoms.
- Used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia.
What to Discuss before Using
- While you are taking this medication you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts especially at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment. Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- Do not take this medication if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together.
- Do not take if you are taking pimozide (Orap). A dangerous drug interaction could result.
- Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor if you:
- have liver disease
- have kidney disease
- suffer from seizures
- suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts
- You may not be able to take this medication, or you may need a special dosage or monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- In the FDA pregnancy category C. Babies exposed to this medication and/ or other drugs of the same class during the third trimester of pregnancy may develop medical complications. Discuss the risks with your doctor. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
- It is not known whether medication passes into breast milk. Do not take without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Zoloft Dosage Method
- Take exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each tablet with water.
- The Zoloft Oral Concentrate must be diluted before taking a dose. Use the dropper provided to measure a dose of the liquid. Mix the prescribed amount with 4 oz (one-half cup) of water, ginger ale, lemon/ lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice only. Do not use any liquids other than those listed to dilute the concentrate. A slight haze may appear after mixing, this is normal. Drink this mixture immediately after mixing. Do not save any diluted concentrate for later use.
- Try to take at the same time each day.
- May be taken with or without food.
- Do not stop taking medication without first talking to your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and you may experience unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
- Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Miss a dose: Problems?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Zoloft Overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
- Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, seizures, agitation, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils.
Avoid During Treatment
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Sertraline may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
- Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness.
Zoloft Side effects
- If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking medication and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
- an irregular heartbeat or pulse
- low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness)
- high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision)
- chills or fever
- If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking medication and talk to your doctor:
- headache
- tremor, nervousness, or anxiety
- nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight
- sleepiness or insomnia
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs to avoid while undergoing treatment
- Do not take this medication if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together.
- Do not take if you are taking pimozide (Orap). A dangerous drug interaction could result.
- Before taking, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others
- a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others
- a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others
- lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others) or clozapine (Clozaril)
- almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin)
- warfarin (Coumadin)
- digoxin (Lanoxin)
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB)
- bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
- You may not be able to take this medication, or you may require a special dosage or monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
- Do not take the Zoloft Oral Concentrate without first talking to your doctor if you are taking disulfiram (Antabuse). The oral solution contains alcohol, which may interact with disulfiram.
- Drugs other than those listed here may also interact. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Zoloft (Sertraline) comes as a capsule to be taken orally as prescribed by your doctor. Zoloft (Sertraline) is available in 25 mg capsules, 50 mg capsules, and 100 mg capsules. Irregular intake of Zoloft (Sertraline) without the doctor's consent may lead to serious side effects.
Zoloft (Sertraline) is prescribed medically to treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Zoloft (Sertraline) can also be used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, binge eating disorder, premature ejaculation. Zoloft (Sertraline) is an effective treatment for impulsive aggressive behavior in personality-disordered patients. Many patients have been successfully treated with Zoloft (Sertraline) for depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Zoloft (Sertraline) for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
