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.
Over time, many people will notice a substantial difference in their anxiety symptoms, and some people may eventually have no symptoms at all. Here are the most common side effects of Zoloft you may experience when you start taking it:.
Zoloft also comes with a black box warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Short-term studies have shown that antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults compared to a placebo. The Food and Drug Administration also warns patients against taking sertraline Zoloft if they are pregnant, breastfeeding, have preexisting eye problems sertraline makes patients more susceptible to developing glaucoma , and those with bipolar disorder who are not also taking a mood stabilizer.
Zoloft taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs or other drugs that increase serotonin such as other antidepressants, triptans, and dextromethorphan, which is found in cough and cold products could cause serotonin syndrome , a life-threatening emergency that can cause hallucinations, seizures, comas, tremors, delirium, and other serious side effects. What works for one person may not work for another. 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.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Do not mix this medicine with any other liquid. Drink it right away after mixing. Do not mix the medicine with the liquid until you are ready to take your dose. It is okay if the mixture looks hazy. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.
However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep from freezing. It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits. This is to allow for changes in your dose and to help reduce any side effects. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Do not start taking sertraline during the 14 days after you stop a MAO inhibitor and wait 14 days after stopping sertraline before you start taking a MAO inhibitor.
If you take them together or do not wait 14 days, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe convulsions.
Using these medicines together can cause serious problems. Sertraline may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if taken together with some medicines. Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines with sertraline.
For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. If you or your child are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer. Check your prescription and consult your doctor to make sure you're taking the correct dose for you. For people with social anxiety disorder, a typical tablet dosage of Zoloft starts at 25 mg, with an increase to 50 mg after one week.
Weekly increases up to a maximum dose of mg are permitted for patients who do not respond to lower doses.
Zoloft comes in tablet or liquid form. In general, Zoloft is taken once daily, with or without food. If you have taken too much Zoloft, get help right away before the drug has a chance to cause unpleasant or dangerous symptoms. The risk of a fatal overdose of Zoloft is low. Symptoms of an overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, increased or slow heart rate, and coma.
Side effects of Zoloft can range from mild to more serious. The most common side effects of Zoloft include:. When first starting Zoloft, or when changing dosage, report any of the following side effects to your doctor immediately:. If your doctor is unavailable and you're experiencing severe symptoms, head to the emergency room immediately.
Tell them about the medication and dosage you are currently taking and when your symptoms first began. Zoloft should be taken as directed unless your healthcare provider provides other guidance. To ensure Zoloft is safe for you, disclose to your doctor your mental health and family history as well all current or past prescription or over-the-counter medications, or any other substances that you are taking or plan to take.
Warnings and interactions when taking Zoloft include:. While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or prompt careful consideration as to whether the pros of treatment outweigh the cons in your case.
Prior to taking Zoloft, let your doctor know:. Zoloft is contraindicated for use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs , pimozide, and disulfiram when taken with liquid Zoloft.
It is critical to disclose to your doctor all current and past medications including allergy medications , your mental health history, as well as your family medical and mental health history to ensure that Zoloft is safe for you. Older adults, children diagnosed with mental health disorders other than OCD, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those who are taking diuretics are at greater risk for complications and may not be prescribed Zoloft.
Examples of other SSRIs used to treat similar mental health disorders include Prozac fluoxetine , Paxil paroxetine , and Lexapro escitalopram. These medications also work by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain.
According to Pfizer, the recommended dosage of Zoloft will vary depending on the mental health disorder. All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer. Check your prescription and talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right dose for you. Certain populations may react to Zoloft differently and may require an adjusted dosage, as well as closer monitoring by their healthcare provider. While many individuals opt to take Zoloft in tablet form, an oral liquid is available.
If you have a latex sensitivity or allergy, you may not be able to take the liquid form as the dropper contains a natural rubber.
If taking the oral liquid:. Zoloft tablets should be stored at room temperature, out of direct light, with the bottle tightly sealed.
They should also be stored out of reach of children and pets. If you miss a dose of Zoloft, take it as soon as you remember, unless you are due to take your next dose soon. In other words, don't double your dosage. Keep in mind that you may experience some side effects within a few hours of your missed dosage, which may include dizziness, nausea, and feeling weak. If you have questions, be sure to reach out to your doctor. If you have taken too much Zoloft more than your typical dosage , contact your doctor right away.
If they're unavailable, call Poison Control or head to the emergency room immediately. Since Zoloft alters brain chemistry, you may be worried about how taking this medication will affect you. There's no way to predict how Zoloft will make you feel since everyone may respond differently to it.
But these are the side effects to be aware of:. You may experience side effects from taking Zoloft. These may include:. These can include reduced sexual desire or difficulty reaching orgasm, difficulty ejaculating, or less frequently the inability to maintain an erection erectile dysfunction. These can be so distressing for some people that they may choose not to take the medication.
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