Chemical Name: SERTRALINE
Drug uses:
This drug is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The drug is FDA approved to treat certain types of social anxiety conditions, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphonic disorder. Zoloft may also be used for other purposes.
What should I know about Zoloft?
You mustn’t take the drug if you’re using pimozide, fenfluramine or sibutramine, cyproheptadine, astemizole,dextromethorphan, terfenadine, tryptophan, pimozide, st. John\'s wort, tramadol. If you were taking a MAO inhibitor you must wait at least 14 days before using Zoloft. And after you were taking Zoloft wait 14 days before starting to use a MAO inhibitor. Monoamine oxidize inhibitors include isocarboxazid,furazolidone, moclobemide, linezolid,phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine.
If you take such medicines as aripiprazole, clozapine, linezolid, lithium, metoclopramide, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen or naproxen), tricyclic anti-depressants, or other anti-depressants such as citalopram or fluvoxamine, venlafaxine, nefazodone, migraine medicines, carbamazepine, risperidone, phenothiazines; medicines such as thioridazine, or trazodone you may need additional monitoring of your condition. You should let your doctor know if you have allergy, seizers, liver disease; if you’re pregnant or nursing.
The drug is not habit-forming.
How taken
Take the dosage, prescribed by your doctor at the same time each day. If it’s not recommended by your doctor, do not take the drug in larger amounts or for longer periods.
The medicine is for oral usage. You must dilute it before using.
Zoloft should be stored at room temperature.
Even if you feel better don’t stop using the medicine. If you have missed the dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Warnings/Precautions
You should inform your doctor if you are allergic to any ingredient of the drug. You mustn’t stop using the drug if you are not permitted by your doctor.
At the beginning of using the drug and when the dose is changed additional monitoring is recommended. You must inform your doctor if you experience agitation, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, hostility, irritability, impulsive feelings, panic attacks, severe restlessness, or worsening of depression. It is important for people who take care of such patients to watch for these symptoms.
Do not drive or perform other activities which require your concentration while using Zoloft.
Alcohol and other depressants can increase some of the side effects of the drug. If you take other drugs that cause drowsiness, while taking Zoloft, the drowsiness effect will be increased.
If it’s children or elderly people who use the drug you should be especially cautious, as they mey be more sensitive to the effects of it.
You should inform your doctor if you’re pregnant because the medicine can be harmful for the foetus. If you’re nursing, you should discuss the risks with your doctor as the medicine can be present in breast milk.
Be aware that while taking the drug some side effect may occur. Dizziness, diarrhea, dry mouth drowsiness, changes in appetite or weight, nausea, weakness; decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm are among less serious side effects. There are also some serious side effects that may occur: agitation, confusion, fast heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching, problems with balance or coordination, seizure (convulsions), shivering, sweating tremors.
People who suffer from allergic reactions on some ingredients of Zoloft may experience difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of their face, lips, tongue, or throat. In this case you should get emergency medical help.
Call your doctor if you have worsening of your symptoms.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose: agitation, increased heartbeat, prolonged vomiting, severe dizziness, severe drowsiness, tremor. If you think you have overdose, get emergency medical help at once.
Additional information
You mustn’t give the drug to others for whom it wasn’t prescribed.
Keep Zoloft out of reach of children.
Drug interactions
If you use Zoloft with some other medicines, unwanted side effects may be caused. You must inform your doctor of any other medicines, you take, because it can be dangerous for your health.