Brand Name: Zoloft (Sertraline).
Generic Name: Sertraline.
What is Zoloft used for? Zoloft is in a class of drugs called
select serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Zoloft is an antidepressant
medication used to relieve symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and social anxiety disorder,
also known as social phobia.
General Zoloft Precautions:
_ Zoloft may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid
driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
_ Rise slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position to prevent
dizziness or possible falls.
_ Do not take Zoloft if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
within the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if
sertraline is combined with MAO inhibitors.
Do not take Zoloft if you are taking pimozide. A dangerous drug
interaction could result.
_ It is not known whether Zoloft will harm an unborn baby or a nursing
baby.
_ Zoloft may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Patients using
sertraline should exercise caution until they have adapted to therapy.
_ Tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Zoloft if you are
having surgery, including dental surgery.
_ If you skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed. Do
not take a double dose of Zoloft. Overdose is possible.
FDA Warnings for Sertraline:
The FDA issued a public health alert for Zoloft in March 2004 warning
that sertraline can lead to deeper depression and suicide. The FDA
recommends that health care providers warn patients, their families and
their caregivers to be alert for agitation, irritability, suicide and
worsening depression while using Zoloft. The FDA also recommends that
health care providers closely monitor adult and children treated with
sertraline for worsening of depression or suicidal tendencies,
especially at the beginning of therapy or when the dose either increases
or decreases.
The FDA issued a Public Health Advisory in October 2003 about increased
reports of suicidal thinking, suicide attempts, hostility and self-harm
in children using Zoloft. The FDA urges that Zoloft be used with caution
in children. Parents of children using Zoloft should consult the
prescribing physician immediately to discuss the suicide risks involved
in taking Zoloft.
It should be noted that the safety and effectiveness of Celexa in
pediatric patients has not been established. In clinical trials, only
Prozac (fluoxetine) has been found effective for children.
Zoloft can cause serious side effects. Weight gain and sexual
dysfunction are common Zoloft side effects. Less common but life
threatening is the increased risk of suicide. Addiction and subsequent
withdrawal symptoms also rank on the list of serious Zoloft side
effects. Zoloft has been linked to Parkinson’s Disease and drug-induced
stuttering.
Only you can decide if Zoloft is the best means of
treating depression symptoms. It is important for people currently
taking Zoloft to discuss side effect concerns with their physician.
People wishing to avoid the side effects of pharmaceutical
antidepressants have choices for safe and effective natural
antidepressants.
Zoloft Side Effects:
_ Agitation.
_ Irritability.
_ Deepened depression.
_ Increased risk of suicide.
_ Difficulty urinating.
_ Ejaculation problems.
_ Impotence.
_ Changes in sex drive or ability.
_ Difficulty reaching orgasm.
_ Decreased libido.
_ Upset stomach.
_ Drowsiness.
_ Weakness.
_ Anxiety.
_ Sensitivity to sunlight.
_ Changes in appetite or weight.
_ Headache.
_ Constipation or diarrhea.
_ Blurred vision.
_ Hair loss.
_ Insomnia or sleeplessness.
_ Nightmares.
_ Dry mouth.
_ Excessive sweating.
_ Jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms.
_ Slow or difficult speech.
_ Fever.
_ Irregular heartbeat.
_ Shuffling walk.
_ Tremors.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience: An allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the
lips, face, or tongue; or hives). Stop taking Zoloft and contact your
doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment if you also
experience a fast or irregular heartbeat, jaw, neck or back muscle
spasms, shuffling walk, slow or difficult speech, persistent fine tremor
or inability to sit still, fever or severe skin rash. Contact your
doctor immediately if you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor if you have or ever had:
_ Seizures.
_ Liver disease.
_ Kidney disease.
_ Heart disease.
_ High blood pressure.
_ Suicidal thoughts.
_ History of mania.
_ Glaucoma.
_ Enlarged prostate.
_ Difficulty urinating.
_ An overactive thyroid gland.
What should I avoid while taking Zoloft?
_ Use alcohol cautiously while taking Zoloft. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness.
_ Cigarette smoking and tobacco products may decrease the effectiveness
of this drug.
_ Zoloft may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid unnecessary or
prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Symptoms of overdose may include: Symptoms of a Zoloft overdose
include vomiting, rapid pounding or irregular heartbeat, hyperactivity
or agitation, tremors, coma, seizures, unconsciousness, fainting,
hallucinations.
What other drugs will affect sertraline? Zoloft can increase the
effects of many other drugs, leading to serious side effects. If taking
Zoloft, talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Do not take sertraline with
the following medicines without your doctor’s approval:
_ Benzodiazepine such as diazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide,
clorazepate, temazepam or triazolam.
_ Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI).
_ Other antidepressants.
_ Phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine,
perphenazine prochlorperazine.
_ Warfarin.
_ Lithium or clozapine.
_ Seizure medications containing carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin).
_ Almotriptan.
_ Frovatriptan.
_ Sumatriptan.
_ Naratriptan.
_ Rizatriptan.
_ Zolmitriptan.
_ Digoxin.
_ Cimetidine.
_ Bupropion.
_ Thioridazine.
_ Cisapride.
_ Pimozide.
_ Theophylline.
_ Methylphenidate.
Zoloft may also interfere with medications for high blood pressure,
Parkinson's disease, asthma, colds, or allergies, muscle relaxants,
sedatives, sleeping pills, thyroid medications, tranquilizers, and
vitamins. Drugs other than the above listed may also interact with
Zoloft. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription, over-the-counter medicines or natural supplements.
*This antidepressant drug information does not endorse Zoloft, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. The information contained herein is not
intended to cover all possible warnings, uses, precautions, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse side effects of Zoloft. If
you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
health care provider or pharmacist. The information provided should not
be construed to indicate that Zoloft is safe, effective or appropriate.
Do not stop taking Zoloft without first talking to your doctor. Your
doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping Zoloft
completely. Suddenly stopping sertraline may cause unpleasant and
potentially serious side effects.
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