Why Zoloft? uses of Zoloft Zoloft is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder ( social phobia ) , and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome ( premenstrual dysphoric disorder ) . It is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI ) .
Zoloft may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks ( compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking ) that interfere with daily living. This medication works by helping to restore balance of certain natural chemicals ( neurotransmitters such as serotonin ) in the brain. how to use of Zoloft Read the Medication Guide ( US ) or Patient Information Leaflet ( Canada ) available from your pharmacist before we start using Zoloft and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
This liquid medication must be mixed with another fluid before use. Remove the prescribed amount of liquid medication from bottle with the dropper provided. Mix the medication with half a cup ( 4 ounces or 120 milliliters ) of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. Don't use any other fluid for mixing Zoloft. The mixture may appear cloudy. This is normal and harmless.
Mix each dose just before taking it. Don't prepare a supply for future use.
Take Zoloft/liquid mixture by mouth, usually once daily with or without food or as directed by your doctor. Zoloft may make we sleepy or wakeful. Therefore, depending on how Zoloft affects you, your doctor may direct you to take the entire dose once daily either in morning or evening.
If you are taking Zoloft for premenstrual problems, your doctor may direct we to take Zoloft every day of month or just for the 2 weeks before your period through first full day of your period.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Don't take more or less medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition won't improve any faster and your risk of side effects will increase. Use this medication regularly in order to get most benefit from it. To help we remember, use it at same time each day.
It's important to continue taking Zoloft as prescribed even if we feel well. Don't stop taking Zoloft without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when Zoloft is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. side effects of Zoloft See also Warning section.
Nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, loss of appetite, increased sweating, drowsiness, diarrhea, upset stomach, or trouble sleeping may occur while use Zoloft. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Zoloft because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Zoloft don't have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur:
Zoloft may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when Zoloft is used with certain other drugs such as " triptans " used to treat migraine headaches ( e. g. , sumatriptan, eletriptan ) , certain antidepressants including other SSRIs ( e. g. , citalopram, paroxetine ) and SNRIs ( e. g. , duloxetine, venlafaxine ) , lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, or a certain drug to treat obesity ( sibutramine ) . Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when we start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms:
For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using Zoloft and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction to Zoloft is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. precautions of Zoloft Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're allergic to it; or to latex; or if we have any other allergies.
Before using Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
This liquid medication contains alcohol. Caution is advised if we have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Some medications ( e. g. , metronidazole, disulfiram ) can cause a serious reaction when combined with alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product.
Zoloft may make you drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Caution is advised when using Zoloft in elderly because they may be more sensitive to side effects of drug. The elderly are also more likely to develop a type of mineral imbalance ( hyponatremia ) , especially if they're also taking " water pills " ( diuretics ) with this medication.
Caution is advised when using Zoloft in children because they may be more sensitive to side effects of the drug, especially loss of appetite and weight loss. It's important to monitor weight and growth in children who are taking Zoloft.
Zoloft is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used Zoloft during last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If we notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell the doctor promptly.
Since untreated depression can be a serious condition, don't stop taking Zoloft unless directed by your doctor. If you're planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss benefits and risks of using Zoloft during pregnancy with your doctor.
Zoloft passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. interactions of Zoloft See also Precautions.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for them. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Avoid taking MAO inhibitors ( e. g. , furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine ) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with this medication. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.
Zoloft should also not be used with following medications because very serious interactions may occur while use Zoloft:
If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Zoloft.
Before using Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:
Zoloft can affect the removal of other drugs from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes. These affected drugs include cimetidine, cisapride, clozapine, and certain drugs for heart rhythm such as flecainide/propafenone, among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Also report use of drugs which might increase seizure risk ( decrease seizure threshold ) when combined with Zoloft such as bupropion, isoniazid ( INH ) , theophylline, or tramadol, among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine, phenytoin ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine, meperidine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, risperidone, thioridazine ) .
Check the labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients, pain relievers/fever reducers ( NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen ) or cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention ( usually at dosages of 81-325 mg per day ) , should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
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