Reviews On Zoloft Side Effects And Drug Interactions
Zoloft users frequently report that the first week to four weeks on Zoloft produced many negative side effects, such as flulike symptoms, racing thoughts, increased anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and constipation, night sweats/terrors/nightmares, tremors, nausea, fatigue, muscle pain, apathy, and irritability.
However, most of these users say that the initial side effects did subside once their body adjusted to Zoloft.
A 27-year-old male Zoloft user reports in a review on Iodine.com, In the beginning you will feel terrible. Flu-like is the best way for me to describe it. Tightness in the jaw, no appetite, and stomach issues when you begin to eat. Diarrhea and constipation.
A 17-year-old man who took Zoloft for OCD agreed that the first weeks on Zoloft resulted in negative side effects, writing on Iodine.com, Potential for increased anxiety at first. Also caused severe insomnia for a few weeks.
A 27-year-old female patient, also writing a review on Iodine.com, concurred: Take vitamins; the adjustment period causes muscle fatigue. Crazy vivid nightmares are normal too.
Most Zoloft reviewers offer light at the end of the tunnel if youre willing to stick through the initial side effects, though.
One Zoloft;review on Everyday Health states, The side effects at first were horrible headaches, nausea, dizziness; had to leave work one day because of them. After a week the side effects had eased and after a month they were gone.
Sertraline: Antidepressant Works ‘by Reducing Anxiety Symptoms First’
A commonly-prescribed antidepressant reduces anxiety first and has a smaller effect on depressive symptoms weeks later, a study suggests.
Researchers at University College London said it made people feel better but worked in unexpected ways.
Their trial involved 653 UK patients, half of whom were given sertraline and the other half a placebo .
Psychiatrists say the findings are reassuring for doctors and patients, confirming the benefits of treatment.
Antidepressants are one of the most commonly-prescribed medications in the UK and concerns have often been raised that too many are being given to patients.
Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor , is one of the most common drugs used to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety.
But scientists still have little idea of how these kind of drugs work.
What To Do During An Attack
The goal during both anxiety attacks and panic attacks is to calm down. There are immediate steps that can be taken to help with both types of attacks.
Treatment for anxiety and recurring panic attacks depends on the underlying cause for them. Its important to see a medical practitioner for a proper diagnosis. Treatment for anxiety and panic disorders can include:
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What Drugs Interact With Paxil
Paxil may interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines for seizures or anxiety, other antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , blood thinners, cimetidine, tramadol, L–tryptophan, or medicines to treat migraines.
Paxil may also interact with fentanyl, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, St. John’s wort, tamoxifen, theophylline, heart medications, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.
You may have withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking Paxil.
What Is The Dosage For Alprazolam Vs Sertraline
Alprazolam
- The starting dose for treating anxiety is 0.25-0.5 mg 3 to 4 times daily using immediate release tablets. The dose may be increased every 3-4 days to a maximum dose of 4 mg daily.
- The starting dose for treating panic attacks is 0.5 mg 3 times daily. Doses can be increased every 3-4 days but by no more than 1 mg daily.
- The effective dose for preventing panic attacks may be as high as 10 mg daily for some patients. The starting dose when using extended release tablets to treat panic disorder is 0.5 mg once daily and the average dose is 3-6 mg once daily.
- Alprazolam may be taken with or without food.
Sertraline
- The recommended dose of sertraline is 25-200 mg once daily. Treatment of depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder is initiated at 25-50 mg once daily. Doses are increased at weekly intervals until the desired response is seen.
- The recommended dose for PMDD is 50-150 mg every day of the menstrual cycle or for 14 days before menstruation.
- Sertraline may be taken with or without food.
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How Long Will I Need To Take Sertraline For
You will need to take sertraline for several months after you feel better, otherwise your symptoms can come back.
Your doctor will advise you how long to take sertraline for, as it depends on why you are taking it. For depression it might be six months, for;OCD;it might be 12 months and for other anxiety related conditions such as;PTSD and panic disorder it might be up to 18 months.
If you stop taking the sertraline too soon, there is more chance that your symptoms will come back.
If you have;bipolar disorder, it is likely that the doctor will advise for the sertraline to be stopped sooner. This is because, in bipolar disorder, there is a risk of your mood becoming too high if an;antidepressant;is used for too long.
See your doctor if you want to stop sertraline.
Stopping The Use Of Sertraline
Stopping this medicine quickly, or reducing the dose too much at once, may cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Once you start taking an;SSRI, the brain adjusts to having a new level of;serotonin;around. If you stop taking the SSRI all at once, the balance starts to change again. You could get some symptoms from the change.
Sertraline is not addictive, but you may get uncomfortable;withdrawal symptoms;if you stop sertraline suddenly, as your body begins to miss it. It is better to agree stopping with a doctor who will reduce you gradually over about four weeks.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms include:
- dizziness or headaches
- tingling feelings like pins and needles or numbness – some people describe electric shock-like feelings down their head and back
- sleep disturbances
- feeling anxious or agitated
- feeling sick or being sick
- shaking
These symptoms should stop after two to three weeks for most people, but a very few people can get them for two to three months or more.
Most people get mild symptoms, but for a very few people they can be very intense.
Go and speak to your doctor if you have decided to stop taking your medication.
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Strategy No : Use Benzodiazepines If Needed But Use Them Wisely
Benzodiazepines are effective in treating panic disorder5; they are also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia, two common comorbidities of panic disorder. In contrast to antidepressants, benzodiazepines relieve anxiety within hours,7 can prevent panic attacks within a few days to a few weeks,5 and are free of troublesome activating effects.7 Nevertheless, benzodiazepine use in treating panic disorder can be complicated by abuse, physiologic and psychologic dependence, and sedative and neurocognitive side effects.7,8
The following strategies address the problems associated with benzodiazepine use:
Can I Get Addicted To Sertraline
Not really, no. Its not uncommon, however for people to develop a psychological dependency. By this I mean, theres this sense that by stopping the drug, their mental health will suffer. Truth is theres no way of knowing. Ive seen people come off it and maintain good mental health, while others see an immediate decline. Its those latter cases that show sertralines benefit and the need for some to remain on it for longer.
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What Forms Do They Come In
Zoloft and Prozac are available as brands and generics. They come in the following forms and strengths. A difference here is that Prozac is available as capsules, while Zoloft is not.
Zoloft
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10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 90 mg capsules
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10 mg, 20 mg, 60 mg tablets
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20 mg/5 mL concentrated solution
Typically, your provider will start you on the lowest dose possible of Zoloft or Prozac and increase it if necessary. This is to help lower the risk of side effects and see how the medication is working for you.;
How Do I Know Zoloft Is Working
Is 25mg of Zoloft enough for anxiety? It surely is and the drug promises you a sure escape from anxiety within 4 to 8 weeks. Now the question arises how would you know the drug is working?
The experts suggest that each person has his fingerprints of anxiety symptoms. Hence, the recovery process will be different for individuals.
Some patients notice a sooner improvement with Zoloft. But in the majority of cases, it takes weeks for the drug to kick in.
The consumer might experience the following changes in him,
- Better sleep
- Feeling of helplessness or guilt becomes less frequent
- Control over mood swings or depressed thoughts
- Less anxiety attack
- Less suicidality behavior
Overall, a person suffering from social anxiety disorder feels better after the Zoloft administration. It is wiser to track down the emotions to observe the improvement.
Do not think Zoloft will take away the anxiety. No, but the drug will make you feel better and fill your mind with positive energy. You may still have anxiety attacks or depressing thoughts. Apart from prescribing Zoloft, the doctor might suggest a few extra tips to have more control over your emotions.
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So Which One Should I Take
Both Zoloft and Prozac work well to treat panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but you may be prescribed Zoloft if you are dealing with social anxiety disorder or PTSD because Prozac is not approved to treat these conditions.;
Both have mild side effects. Zoloft does, however, have a higher risk of diarrhea and sexual problems, while Prozac has a higher risk of headaches.;;
When it comes to price, generic Prozac is cheaper than generic Zoloft, but brand-name Zoloft is cheaper than brand-name Prozac. The generic versions of both drugs are much more affordable than the brands.
Have a discussion with your provider about which medication may be the right one for you.
Are There Any Major Differences Between Zoloft And Other Mental Health Medications
Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor . SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressants, and they work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. They are also sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety and other conditions. If you have bipolar disorder and take an SSRI, you may be at risk for triggering a manic episode if you are not also taking a mood stabilizer. Talk to your doctor about your specific symptoms, other health concerns, and other medications you take so they can make the best recommendation for your condition and symptoms.
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How To Tell The Difference Between An Anxiety Attack And A Panic Attack
An anxiety attack is generally caused by the escalating intensity of worry in response to a real or perceived internal or external stressor, saysSharon D. Thomas, MS, LCMHC, a licensed clinical mental health counselor at MindPath Care Centers in Raleigh, North Carolina. This worry builds and the excessiveness of the stress becomes overwhelming, which can feel like an attack.
Panic attacks are similarly influenced by an internal/external stressor, says Thomas, but instead of the escalating or building response from the stressor of an anxiety attack, the fear responses are abrupt, intense, and highly disruptive to the individuals capacity to function in response to the fear.
Anxiety attacks:
- Are not a recognized condition, but rather a laymans term for the feelings of increased anxiety.
- Are in response to a stressor .
- Come on slowly and build with excessive worry.
- Can feel overwhelming.
- Is more thought-focused, but can have some physical symptoms.
Panic attacks:
Can Zoloft Cause Weight Gain
25% of people who take antidepressant medication, including Zoloft, experience a weight gain of up to 10 pounds. Experts believe that Zoloft and any other SSRI drugs have a relation to appetite and metabolism. Patients sometimes put on weight even without eating much. How is that even possible?
Well, researchers suggest patients often find tasks pleasurable after taking Zoloft. So when they are up for a meal, they might overeat even without realizing it. Even though the experts are not sure about the theory, this is a possibility.
Not every person on Zoloft or antidepressants fattens up. Putting on weight occurs in case of long-term use of these drugs. Doctors claim that anyone using Zoloft for more than 6 months might experience weight gain. This side effect is rare in short-term usage.
So, is 25mg of Zoloft enough for anxiety? Well, it depends on your physical condition; however, 25mg of Zoloft wont make you overweight and thats for sure.
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Any Positive Experiences Of Zoloft Controlling Anxiety & Depression
Psyched_Out_Kim
There’s many negative stories out there about Zoloft, so I’m wondering if anyone can share a positive experience from taking it.
I was on it many years ago, but don’t remember the start up effects, how long it took to work, etc. The time has come to use this medication again, but my anxiety is so bad that I’m afraid to take it. I do use Xanax, but I can no longer pretend that that’s enough to help me. There’s a lot of depression involved as well, so my back is against the wall.
Thanks for reading,
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4 years ago
I’ve only been on sertraline for a week on 50mg. I only had a few sides lasting a couple of days, headache and dizziness. Still experiencing a bit of anxiety but I feel it’s doing something. my mood has lifted. I’m increasing in another week, just hoping I don’t have any bad side effects.
Give it a go.. let me know how it goes
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Posted 4 years ago
Good for you! I have a friend who reacted the same way, very little side ffects, and she felt like she could come off after only three months. Her depression never cam back! ;You are lucky one
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Posted 4 years ago
You should try another med. I didn’t get on with flouxtine.. but some people swear by it. Everyone reacts differently.
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Posted 4 years ago
I’ve read that the first week can be okay, but side effects get worse the following weeks as the med builds up. That’s the part I’m afraid of, especially the increased anxiety.
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Zoloft
You should not use sertraline if you are allergic to it, or if you also take pimozide. Do not use the liquid form of sertraline if you take disulfiram .
Do not use sertraline within 14 days before or 14 days after using an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.
Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with sertraline could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- bipolar disorder ;
- heart disease, high blood pressure, or a stroke;
- liver or kidney disease;
- bleeding problems, or if you take warfarin ;
- long QT syndrome; or
- low levels of sodium in your blood.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Sertraline is approved for use in children at least 6 years old, only to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder but not depression.
Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop sertraline without asking your doctor.
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What Does It Feel Like To Be On Anti
Some anti-anxiety medications work within 30 minutes, others take days to build up in your system and become effective. Once working, patients often feel a physical sense of relief and decrease in worry and stresstheyre back to their normal selves. That said, how it feels is different for each individual.
Its not uncommon to feel some side effects, such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue in the first few weeks of taking anti-anxiety medications. However many patients find they eventually subside. If you think youre experiencing any side effects, tell your doctor immediately.
Why I Chose To Take Zoloft For Anxiety And Depression
Medicated. It sounds like such an ugly word, doesnt it? Do you ever wonder why people look down at others for taking medication? I dont and I wont ever understand, seeing that I chose to take Zoloft for four months and it changed my life. Ive wanted to write about my experience with anxiety and depression for quite some time, but I was afraid to speak candidly about this period in my life. You never know who might be reading your blog
In 2010 I started teaching elementary school. My first year was exhilarating and filled with adventure! I loved my first grade students and felt like I was finally fulfilling my dreams of making a difference in the world. There were challenges, as all teachers face, but for the most part Id say it was a success. I went into my second year of teaching excited, but the thrill fizzed out by Christmas break. My class was very large, extremely difficult, and I had a ton of behavior issues. I found myself dreading work each morning, fearing student tantrums not only in my classroom, but from surrounding rooms as well.
This was only the beginning
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