Learn More. Or in a crisis , text "NAMI" to Donate Now. All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please review before taking this medication. Sertraline is an antidepressant medication that works in the brain. It is also approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD in adults, children and adolescents aged years.
PTSD occurs when a person experiences a traumatic event e. PMDD is a condition where a woman experiences depression, tension, and irritability for a few days prior to menstruation that end when menstruation begins. These symptoms are more severe than those of premenstrual syndrome PMS.
Panic Disorder occurs when a person experiences unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear. These episodes have physical symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Fear of future episodes is also part of panic disorder.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD occurs when a person experiences the following symptoms at the same time:. Symptoms include:. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options. Do not stop taking sertraline, even when you feel better. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine.
Depression is also a part of bipolar illness. People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania. Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences for example, excessive buying sprees. Medical attention should be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected.
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy second and third trimesters , there is a risk that the baby can be born before it is fully developed before 37 weeks.
The right dosage of Zoloft for anxiety varies by the severity of anxiety and whether the patient has other medical conditions. In general, though, the initial therapeutic dosage of Zoloft for anxiety is 25 mg or 50 mg per day. Zoloft tablets are available in three dosage strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, and mg. The maximum dose of Zoloft is mg per day which can be taken as two mg tablets. Most studies suggest that the most effective dose of Zoloft is 50 mg per day. This dose is proven to be the most effective and tolerable dose for most patients.
For example, a doctor might recommend taking 50 mg daily for one week, then mg daily for one week, etc. Zoloft is also available in liquid form as an oral solution.
It comes in a 60 mL bottle with a calibrated dropper with 25 mg and 50 mg graduation marks. Zoloft oral solution must be mixed just before taking into 4 ounces of water, orange juice, lemonade, ginger ale, or lemon or lime soda before consumption. It takes two to six weeks to start reducing anxiety symptoms.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness , some of the earliest signs that Zoloft is working are improvements in sleep, energy, or appetite. These improvements could happen one to two weeks into taking the medication. More significant changes, like feeling less depressed or regaining interest in daily life, may take six to eight weeks to occur. Why is this medication prescribed?
How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Other uses for this medicine.
What special precautions should I follow? Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sertraline, any other medications, any of the ingredients in sertraline preparations, or latex found in the dropper for the concentrate. Before taking sertraline liquid concentrate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take sertraline. If you stop taking sertraline, you should wait at least 2 weeks before you start to take an MAO inhibitor.
Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone Nexterone, Pacerone ; amphetamines; anticoagulants 'blood thinners' such as warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven and heparin; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin and naproxen Aleve, Naprosyn ; atomoxetine Straterra ; buspirone, chlorpromazine; clopidogrel Plavix , dextromethorphan found in many cough medications; in Nuedexta ; fentanyl Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora , droperidol Inapsine ; erythromycin E.
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. John's wort and tryptophan. If you become pregnant while taking sertraline, call your doctor. Sertraline may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last months of pregnancy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Talk to your doctor about having an eye examination before you start taking this medication.
If you have nausea, eye pain, changes in vision, such as seeing colored rings around lights, and swelling or redness in or around the eye, call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment right away. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. Missing a dose of Zoloft may cause you to have flu-like symptoms, nausea, insomnia, imbalance, or hyperarousal.
The best thing you can do if you miss a dose, just as Dr. Wind says, is to take your next dose as soon as you remember. Overdosing on Zoloft is more serious than missing a dose. There are no reported cases of fatal Zoloft overdoses, but taking too much medication can cause serious side effects or health complications. Accidentally or purposefully taking two or more doses of Zoloft could cause:.
In rare cases, taking too much Zoloft can also cause serotonin syndrome, which results in dangerously high levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. More severe symptoms may include seizures, hallucinations, muscle rigidity, and comas. The Poison Control hotline is free for anyone to use and offers callers expert and confidential advice. Being prepared to experience potential side effects is an important part of taking any medication, and knowing what to expect can remove some of the anxiety that oftentimes comes from taking a new medication.
As mentioned throughout this article, more serious side effects like confusion, hallucinations, allergic reactions, seizures, and vomiting require medical attention. If you start to experience worsening depression or anxiety, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, severe irritability or aggression, then you should seek immediate medical help. Clinical trials have shown that depression symptoms will completely go away for about 1 out of every 3 people who take SSRIs, but more research still needs to be done on why SSRIs work for some people and not for others.
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